History of Madison county, state of New York

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HISTORY 'P^

OF

MADISON COUNTY,

STATE OF NEW YORK.

BY MRS. L. M. HAMMOND. ^

SYRACUSE :

TRUAIR, SMITH & CO., BOOK AND JOB PRINTERS.
1872.

-^f-

88801

Ubrary of CorK»r<i.-3J

Two Copies Hec . I
DEC 15(900 '

rjRST COPY. I

ORDER OIVISJUH'
PEC 21 190Q

/- /

Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1872, by

MRS. L. M. HAMMOND,

In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States for the

Northern District of New York.

TO THE

MEMORY OF THE PIONEERS,

TO THE

REMNANT OF THOSE SURVIVING,

Those courageous men a?id women who suffered the privatio7is,
endured the hardships and toil, that we might enjoy the fruit thereof.

TO THOSE

Who have reared our beautiful villages ; dotted the valleys with a
multitude of ha7nlets ; covered the hills with peaceful homes ; who
have planted Schools and Churches, established manufactures, pro-
moted agriculture ; who have bound our cotintry to the commercial
world with many iroti bands, and have drawn hither the electric
channels of the world's utterances.

With filial and fraternal ai^ection,

THIS VOLUME IS RESPECTFULLY
DEDICATED.

PREFACE.

No apology need be offered for such a work as this. It is
time that the recollections of the pioneers were gathered together,
before the last of them shall have passed away ; before the eyes
that have seen the wonderful changes wrought in the domain of
our own county, shall be forever closed, and the lips, which alone
can describe them as they were, are forever silent. One by one
the landmarks are falling, and the records of memory are fast
fading away. Little enough can be gleaned at the present time.
A few years hence nothing further has been written of the
earliest days, can be obtained, except by uncertain tradition.

In 1863, the writer began her work by visiting and conversing
with aged people, taking notes from their memories, of the long .
ago past. The sketches so obtained were properly labeled and
laid in their appropriate places, each town by itself, for future
use. They were gathered, not so much with a view to publica-
tion, as to preserve them, knowing they would, in time, be useful
to some one. The material accumulated year by year, but
slowly, as only time not devoted to household duties, was used
in the pursuit..

In 1867, the brother of the writer, J. M. Chase, joined her in
the work, and the two for a season were engaged in connection,
collecting historical matter. But, as it interfered with his other
labors, required time which he had not to spare, careful thought,
and much comparison and sifting, which one whose thoughts
were busy with the cares of the work-day world, could not
employ, he relinquished the object, and the author went on
alone, devoting her energies almost entirely to the work the last
years.

6 PREFACE.

From 1867 to 187 1, a series of sketches from this history were
published in the Oneida Dispatch, the object of which was to
awaken public sentiment, elicit information, and thus add to the
increasing fund of material. It had the desired effect, and by
the means, a more complete, and by far more correct history is
obtained, as the imperfections of the sketches were thus eradi-
cated.

In the aim to furnish a history of this region, reaching back
to the remotest period, thousands of pages have been intently
perused and digested. No work has been oftener consulted
and more largely drawn from, than the "Documentary History of
New York State." Valentine's "History of New York City,"
Campbell's "Annals of Tyron," and "Schoolcraft's Notes on the
Iroquois," have contributed most useful material for the follow-
ing pages. In a great measure the different State Gazetteers
have served most excellent purpose. Smith's "History of New
York," the New York State Census of several dates, the Civil
List, the Red Book of various dates, several reports of the New
York State Agricultural Society, the "New Encyclopedia," have
been daily references. Barber's "Historical Collections," the
"Life of De Witt Clinton," the "Memoirs of Dr. Nathaniel Ken.
drick," the "Life of Mrs. Judson," and others have been con-
sulted, and in some instances drawn from for biographical
sketches.

Local historians have materially aided the progress of the

work. Jones' "Annals of Oneida County," Clark's "Onondaga,"

Turner's "History of the Holland Purchase," Hatch's "History

of the Town of Sherburne," — for all of which the author asks

. forbearance for having so freely used in extract.

In all sections of the county, old families have been visited,
family records perused, and time-yellowed documents examined.
Statements have been taken from the lips of many aged men
and women who lived through the days when toil and privation
was the heritage of all, several of whom are now resting from
their labors, and from them no farther record can be gained.

To E. Norton, Esq., publisher of the Madison Observer, E. H.
Purdy and D. A. Jackson, publishers of the Oneida Dispatch, J.
B. Guilford, former editor of that paper ; to E. D. Van Slyck, of
the? Hamilton Republican, the Democratic Volunteer, through the

PREFACE. 7

courtesy of M. G. Fellows, a former proprietor, especial obliga-
tions are due ; to the Cazenovia Reptiblican, the Oneida Union, the
DeRuyter New Era, and to the entire Newspaper Press of Madi-
son County the author is indebted.

For valued assistance and the use of interesting manuscripts,
she is under deep obligations to Gen. J. D. Ledyard and L. W.
Ledyard, of Cazenovia ; A. V. Bentley, Esq., of DeRuyter ; Judge
Barlow, of Canastota ; Hon. Wm. K. Fuller, of Schenectady ;
Rev. Wm. M. Pratt, of Louisville, Ky.; W. O. Spencer, Esq., of
Lakeport ; Hon. John J. Foot, of Hamilton \ and would here
express her sincere thanks for the helping hand they gave.

Also to Col. E. D. Jencks, of DeRuyter ; I. N. Smith, Esq.,
of DeRuyter ; J. W. Northrup, Esq., of Georgetown \ Rev. W.
B. Downer, of Cazenovia ; A. A. Raymond, Peterboro ; Rev.
John Smitzer, of Oneida ; Rev. J. H. Enders, of Chittenango ;
Mrs. Brinkerhoof, Chittenango ; Samuel French, Esq., Chitte-
nango ; H. H. Hall, Esq., of Lenox ; Niles Higinbotham, of
Oneida ; Jas. B. Jenkins, Attorney and Counsellor at Law, of
Oneida ; Mrs. S. Watrous, of East Avon ; A. M. Holmes, M.D.,
Morrisville, James Cooledge, Madison ; Calvin Morse, Esq.,
Eaton ; Ezra Leland, Eaton ; Charles De Ferriere, Wamps-
ville; Wait Clark and Luke Hoxie, Esqrs., ofBrookfield, andL.
H. Warren, Esq., of Oneida Co., for valuable material and useful
and timely help, and to our County Clerk, A. D. Kennedy, Esq.,
for generous assistance in searching records at the Clerk's office.

In addition to these there are a host of men and women
throughout the county, who have in every way aided the
researches of the author, by furnishing answers to inquiries, by
looking up long forgotten documents, by assisting in searching
records of Churches and other societies, and to all she would
tender the most grateful acknowledgments for those generous
efforts in behalf of the work.

It has been a labor of great care. To make the work as
correct and reliable as possible, no pains have been spared in
examining and sifting every item of information, reconciling
statements, and leaving out all that was wanting corroboration.
Each town has been separately reviewed by different individuals, .
men whose knowledge and acquaintance; with the growth and
changes of their own localities, and whose judgment in the

8 PREFACE.

premises gives general confidence in their statements as to its
correctness. And yet, notwithstanding all this care, many errors
have undoubtedly crept in, unobserved, to be eradicated by the
future historian.

This has also been a labor of love, since it has been impossi-
ble for the author to listen to the narratives that fell from aged
lips, recitals of their own youthful days, of the trials and hard-
ships, of the joys and pleasures peculiar to the days that are no
more, without entering into the spirit of the scenes described,
and without feeling a tender veneration, a peculiar filial regard
for those honored relics of the past.

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER 1.

INDIANS.

Discovery of the Indians of New York ; Personal characteristics ;
Dress and habits of living ; Religious customs ; Statements
of early travelers ; Origin of the Iroquois Nation ; Formation
of the Confederacy ; Forms of government ; Hieroglyphics and
symbols ; Sketch of their history ; History of the Oneidas. 15

. CHAPTER II.

MADISON COUNTY.

Territorial changes ; County of Tryon, Montgomery and Herki-
mer; Formation of towns ; Formation of Chenango County
and of Madison; Roads; Canals; Railroads; County
Societies and Associations; County proceedings to 1810 ;
County Courts ; Civil List ; Capital trials and convic-
tions. ________ 123

CHAPTER III.

BROOKFIELD.

Formation and geography of the town ; History of the Clinton
Purchase of Chenango Twenty Towns ; Incidents; The Carr
farm of Edmeston ; Operations of Joseph Brant in the days
of the Revolution ; Stephen Hoxie and Daniel Brown the pio-
neers ; Incidents ; Company of settlers in 1792 ; First mills ;

> CONTENTS.

Purchase of Michael Myers, Jedediah Sanger and John I.
Morgan ; Anecdote of encounter with a bear ; Button's mill
creek ; The falls ; Romantic scenery ; Old family burial
grounds ; First improvements ; Early hamlets in the hill dis-
tricts ; Home farm of John I. Morgan ; Babcock's mills ; LTna-
dilla Forks ; Humorous anecdote ; Obituaries and sketches
of pioneers ; Clarksville; Leonardsville ; Churches. 162

CHAPTER IV.

CAZENOVIA.

Formation of the town ; Boundaries ; Geographical features ;
Treaties of 1788 ; The Road Township purchased of the
Indians ; Indian occupation of this land ; The Holland Com-
pany J John Lincklaen's explorations ; Discovery of lake
Owahgena ; The Holland Purchase ; The pioneer's journey ;
Names of pioneers ; Rapid settlement ; Division of Road
Township into four towns ; Laying out and naming of the
village of Cazenovia ; Adventures with bears ; Early settlers ;
First town officers ; Division of the town in 1798 ; Cazenovia
village in 1803 ; Incorporation of Cazenovia village ; Enter-
prise and progress ; Manufactories and business firms ; C.
N. Y. Seminary ; Biographical sketch of Col. John Linck-
laen ; Notices of prominent men ; New Woodstock ; Churches ;
Newspapers. - - - -- - - 197

CHAPTER V.

DE RUYTER.

Boundaries ; Lincklaen's purchase ; Original division of towns
and their names ; naming of De Ruyter ; Party of pioneers ;
Opening of Roads ; Historical incident ; Joseph Messenger ;
Squire Samuel Thompson; Names of pioneers ; First death;
First birth; First school ; De Ruyter village in 1805 ; First
improvements at Shedd's Corners and early settlers in that
vicinity ; Quaker Basin ; De Ruyter in 1809 ; Cold season of
1816 ; Affecting incident; Inconveniences and privations;
Customary amusements ; Incidents ; Schools and their teach-
' ers ; Distinguished sons of De Ruyter ; S. D. B. Institute ;
Biographical sketches ; Churches ; Newspapers. - 244

CONTENTS. 1 1

CHAPTER VL

EATON.

Boundaries ; Face of the country ; Lakes and streams ; Town-
ship No, 2 ; Incidents in the first settlement ; Sketches of
Pioneer families ; Indians ; Mills, roads and other improve-
ments ; Log City now Eaton ; First houses, tavern, manufac-
tures ; Incidents ; Masonic Lodge ; Morrisville ; The village
before 1817 ; Location of the County Seat; Bennett Bick-
nell ; Sketches of other prominent men ; Leeville, now West
Eaton ; This village before 1840 ; Manufactures ; Enterprise
and rapid progress ; Pratt's Hollow ; Its manufactures ;
Pierceville ; Alderbrook ; Fanny Forester ; Newspapers ;
Churches. - - ___-- 279

CHAPTER VI L

FENNER,

Boundaries ; Geography ; Perryville Falls ; Productions ; An-
cient route of armies; New Petersburgh Tract; Mile Strip;
Early setdement ; Names of settlers ; Experience of pioneers ;
Indians ; First improvements ; Early schools and meetings ;
Incidents of first town meeting of Smithfield ; Town officers ;
Organization and naming of town of Fenner ; Curious names
of localities ; Fenner Corners ; Perryville ; Its rise and
progress ; Oren S. Avery ; Chittenango Falls village ; Notices
of early settlers ; Influential men ; Prominent families ;
Churches. - - _ _ _ _ - 346

CHAPTER VIII.

GEORGETOWN.

Boundaries ; Geography ; Township No. 6 ; Face of the coun-
try ; First settler ; Sketch of the homes of other pioneers ;
Louis Anathe Muller ; Muller Hill and its village and enter-

; ' prises ; Strange oblivion over the family of Muller ; History
of the estate to the present time ; Georgetown village and its
enterprises ; Early church in the north part ; Prominent men
of Georgetown ; First officers ; Dr. Whitmore ; Churches. 375

12 CONTENTS.

CHAPTER IX.

HAMILTON.

Boundaries ; Face of country ; 4th Township ; Indians ; Curious
relics ; Mary Antone ; Pioneer settlers ; Early Courts ;
Customs of the times ; Rapid improvements ; Poolville ;
East Hamilton ; Hubbardsville ; Hamilton Lodge F. & A. M.;
Biographical sketches of Samuel and Elisha Payne, Gen.
King and others ; Madison University ; Dr. Kendrick ; Dr.
Hascall; Churches; Newspapers. _ _ _ 410

CHAPTER X.

LENOX.

Boundaries ; Climate ; Geography ; Ancient occupation of the
town by Indians ; Jesuit missions of the 17th century ; Eng-
lish travelers ; Rev. Samuel Kirkland at Oneida Castle ;
Traversing armies ; Travelers' statements ; First white set-
tlers ; The Klocks ; Myndert Wemple ; Angel De Ferriere
Wampsville ; Quality Hill ; Biographical ; Palmer Hill
Oneida Castle and Skenandoah's home ; Lenox Furnace
Canastota village, with biographical sketches ; Oneida village
Oneida Community j Churches ; Newspapers. - 496

CHAPTER XL

LEBANON.

Boundaries ; Geography ; Township No. 5 ; Pioneer settlement ;
William S. and Justus B. Smith ; Naming of Lebanon ;
Improvements ; Niles' settlement ; Death of Daniel Wheel-
er in 1806 ; Primitive roads ; Wolf hunt ; Schools, teachers ;
Lebanon village ; Spelling School ; Enterprises ; Churches. 543

CHAPTER XII

MADISON.

Boundaries ; Notices of topography ; Evidences of Indian
occupation ; Sir William Pultney's purchase ; Agents ; Sale

CONTENTS. 13

of lands to companies and settlers ; Names of pioneers and
their places of location ; Incidents of primitive journeyings
and pioneer life ; First improvements ; First taverns, mills,
&c.; "Indian opening ;" First "4th of July" celebration ;
Cherry Valley Turnpike ; Madison village ; Bouckville ;
Solsville ; Chenango Canal ; Noted events of early days ;
Prominent men ; Churches. . . . . . ^yg

CHAPTER XIII.

NELSON.

Boundaries ; Geography ; Township No. i ; Large company of
pioneers in 1793 ; Settlement of North East Quarter ; Rich-
ardsons and other pioneers of the south part ; First tavern ;
store, saw mill and grist mill ; Incidents ; Encounter with a
bear; Deaths by accident; Nelson Flats ; Erieville. '617

CHAPTER XIV.

SULLIVAN.

Boundaries ; Geography ; Ancient home of the Oneidas ; Home
assigned the Tuscaroras ; The great trail ; Traversing armies ;
Vrooman's adventure and its disastrous results ; The nine
pioneer families of Sullivan ; Destruction of their homes ;
Relics of the Vrooman expedition ; Louis Dennie ; First road
through ] State Road and Seneca Turnpike ; Various land
tracts ; Early settlers ; Sketches of their pioneer experience ;
Discovery of Gypsum beds ; Canaseraga village ; Its progress ;
Chittenango ; Its early enterprises ; Discovery of water lime ;
Building up of manufactories ; Polj^techny ; First "4th of
July" celebration in Chittenango ; Prominent men ; Early
Railroad projects ; Chittenango Springs ; Bridgeport ; Inci-
dents ; Northern Sullivan ; Biographical sketch of Hon. John
B. Yates ; Churches. _____ 64^

CHAPTER XV.

SMITHFIELD.

Boundaries ; Geography ; New Petersburgh tract ; Adventures
with Indians ; Original town of Smithfield ; Pioneer families

14 CONTENTS.

and early settlers; First enterprises ; Peterboro in 1806 ;
Execution of Mary Antone ; Panther incident ; Notices of
citizens ; Peterboro Academy ; Orphan Asylum ; Biographi-
cal sketches ; Peter Smith ; Hon. Gerrit Smith ; Other pub-
lic men ; Siloam ; Churches. _ _ _ _ (,g^

CHAPTERXVI.

STOCKBRIDGE.

Boundaries ; Geography ; Home of the Oneidas ; Evidences
of an extinct race ; Early settlers ; Incidents ; Indian neigh-
bors ; Indian relics ; The Oneida Stone ; Munnsville ; Stock-
bridge ; Stockbridge Academy ; Prominent families ; Church-
es. --------- 729

INDIANS.

CHAPTER I.

INDIANS.

Discovery of the Indians of New York. — Personal character-
istics.— Dress and habits of living. — Religious cutsoms. —
Statements of early travelers. — Origin of the Iroquois Nation.
— Formation of the Confederacy. — Forms of Government. —
Hierogl3'phics and Symbols.: — Sketch of their History. — His-
tory of the Oneidas.

When the Europeans, impelled by the spirit of discovery,
pressed their course into New York State, they found it to-
be inhabited by a distinct and peculiar race of people.
Their appearance and customs v^^ere a matter of great
curiosity, and many of their usages evinced such wild and
lawless habits, that they were at first regarded as a race
possessing no redeeming attributes. This supposition,
acted upon, has been the parent of much injustice done the
face. On a nearer and more friendly acquaintance, a
different opinion has been formed, and it has been found,
that under the advantages of intellectual and religious
culture, they possess noble qualities of mind, such as distin-
guish their white brethren.

In their physical jDroportions they were described as being
tall and straight, small and lithe-waisted, having black ot
dark-brown eyes, snow white teeth, straight black hair,
cinnamon colored complexion and were active and sprightly.

They were fond of display in dress, and indulged this taste
to an extravagant degree. It is said by the early Dutch

56 MADISON COUNTY,

settlers that some of tlie highly ornamented petticoats of
the Indian women were worth eighty dollars in the currency
of the present day. That garment was made of dressed
deer skin and was highly ornamented with sewant, or
wampum ; this was made of beads, which were manu-
factured of various kinds of shells, gay colored, and wrought
into curious and artistic designs. Sewant was used for
Indian money, hence its value as dress trimming. From a
gaily ornamented belt or waist girdle this skirt was sus-
pended. A mantle of skins was sometimes worn over the
shoulders. The hair of the women was long and they often
wore it plaited and rolled up behind, secured by ornamented
bands of sewant. Curiously formed jewelry of various
materials adorned their shapely arms, hands and necks, and
pendants secured by bands, hung over their foreheads.
Their feet were encased in handsomely embroidered moc-
casins.

The men wore upon their shoulders a mantle of deerskin,
with the fur next their bodies, the opposite side of the
garment displaying a variety of designs in paint. The edges
of the mantle were trimmed with swinging points of fine
material. Their heads were variously ornamented, sorne
wearing feathers, others different articles of a showy
character. Their hair was sometimes shaven close, except
at the top of the head. They, as well as the women, adorned
their necks and arms with ornaments of elaborate work-
manship. They were accustomed to paint themselves in
many colors and fashions, according to each individual taste.
Their appearance when in full dress and paint struck the
eyes of the Europeans as grotesque and frightful.

They dwelt in villages, containing from thirty to several
hundred souls. Their wigwams werfe made by placing in
the ground two rows of upright saplings about twenty feet
apart, when their tops were brought together and secured.
Upon this framework was fastened a lathing of boughs,
covered on the inside with strips of bark with such nicety

INDIANS. \y

as to make a good defense against the weather. The
interior of the wigwam was without flooring, the winter fires
being built upon the ground in the center, the smoke escap-
ing through an opening in the roof. Sometimes the wigwams
were made large to accommodate two families. Around
the village, to secure them from enemies, was, a stockade of
palisades, from ten to fifteen feet high.

The Indian's most honorable calling, was to follow the
war-path and bravely defend his tribe, and to sit in the
great councils of the nation. But in time of peace they
were employed in hunting and fishing, and the men were
so trained that they were enabled, in a hunting expedition,
to undergo great exertions, and prolonged fastings, with
wonderful endurance. While the men secured the fish and
game for winter, the women raised and secured the corn,
and looked to the laying by of otKer stores, such as gather-
ing and drying wild fruits and roots.

The earliest travelers among them, found corn and beans
quite extensively cultivated, the women performing the
labor with a simple wooden hoe. A variety of dishes were
formed from these products, not the least savory of which
was " succotash " made from corn and beans, green, boiled
together ; a sort of mush, made from pounded parched
corn, mixed with the juice of wild apples, was highly
regarded. Sometimes the corn was beaten up with pestles
and boiled with water ; again it was roasted on the ear when
green ; a variety of cakes were made from pounded corn,
all of which were said to be palatable, even to the Europeans.
As they ate they sat upon the ground, using no table ware,
unless their wooden spoons might be named as such.

In their religious belief they profoundly revered the
Great Spirit, the Manitou, the one God their Father, and
they paid devout attention to all the mysterious voices
of nature. It was the audible voice of the Great Spirit

B

I 8 MADISON COUNTY,

heard in thunder ; His mighty hand hurled the shaft of
Kghtning ; from His breath burst the destructive hurricane ;
His direct power veiled the sun or moon in eclipse ; all
the varied phenomena of nature, they believed had some
direct meaning to themselves, and they endeavored in
religious forms and ceremonies, to propitiate the terrible
and great Manitou,

They believed that the spirits of their dead visited their
neighborhood during the hours of night, and that they
could distinguish their voices in the sighing of the wind
through the forest, or in the cry of wild animals which
approached their wigwams in search of food. When a
panther's shriek was heard, they recognized the voice of
some departed relative, full of warning and weird omens ;
when the summer birds came with their gladsome music,
through them the happy voices of their cherished dead told
them not to weep for those who rested amid the flowery
fields of the Spirit Land.

When an Indian died, they placed the body in its grave^
defending it from contact with the earth by a siding of
boughs. By the side of the deceased they placed various
articles, viz : a kettle, platter and spoon, food and some
money, his pipe and tobacco-pouch, hatchet and other
weapons of defence, to serve the traveler on his journey
to the land of spirits. All his costly garments of skins
were wrapped about him in his grave.

The resting place of their dead was guarded with rever-
ential awe ; the graves of their fathers were held as sacred
soil, and the burial grounds of their nation were fought for
with religious zeal.

To die the death of a stoic, without weakness or fear,
was regarded as one of the heroic virtues, which was early
instilled into the minds of the children. To utter a cry
under severe torture would degrade the Indian warrior.

INDIANS. 19

The earliest writers state that the Indians " have a religion of
their own, handed down from ancestor to ancestor. They say
that mention was made by their forefathers for many thousand
moons, of good and evil spirits, to whose honor it is supposed
they burn fires and sacrifices. They wish to stand well with
the good spirits ; they like exhortations about them. They
are very much afraid of the dead, but when they perceive that
one must die, they appear more ferocious than beasts. One of
the Indians is elevated to the oflice similar to that of priest, who
visits the sick, sits by him and bawls, roars and cries, like one
possessed. The priest has no house of his own, but lodges
where he pleases. He must eat no food cooked by a married
woman ; it must be prepared by a maiden or old woman.
When a child arrives at the age of twelve it is decided whether
he can have this office or not, and if it is so ruled, he is elevated
to that office. Becoming of suitable age and understanding, he
undertakes the exercise of it.

"They are great observers of the movements of the sun,
moon and planets, and the women are most experienced star-
gazers. There' is scarcely one of them but can name all the
stars ; describe the time of their rising and setting, and are as
familiar with the position of the constellations in the heavens, as
are the Europeans, the difference being, they give them differ-
ent names. By the different moons they calculate the seasons,
and regulate their harvests. The first moon following that of
the end of February is honored with great devotion, and as it
rises, they compliment it with a great festival. They are col-
lected together from all quarters, and revel after their fashion,
feast with wild game and fish, drink clear river water to their fill,
without being intoxicated. This moon, being the harbinger of
spring, is the beginning of the year. In Virginia they then
prepare for the planting. As the harvest approaches, at the
August new moon, they again celebrate with another festival.

"The names of their months are these: — Cuerano, the first
V\'ith them, February ; 2 Wcer-hemska ; 3 Heemskan ; 4 Onera-
tacka; 5 Onerafack, then they begin to sow and plant ; 6 Haga-
rert ; 7 jfakouvaratta : 8 Hatterhonagat ; 9 Genhendasta, then

20 MADISON COUNTY.

grain and everything is ripe; lo Digojeiijattha, then is the seed
boused. Of January and December they take no note, being
of no use to them.

" Their numerals run no higher than ours, twenty being twice
ten. When they ask for twenty, they stick the ten fingers up
and with them turn to the ten toes of the feet. They count,
Honslot, Tegeni, Hasse, Kajeri, Wisk, jfajack, Satac/i, Siattege,
Tiochte, Ojeri.

" When a youth courts a girl, he buys her generally in a neigh-
boring village, and this done, the damsel is then delivered to
him by two or three other women, who come carrying on their
heads, meal, roots, corn and other articles, to the young man's
hut, and he receives her. It is common for a man to buy and
have several wives, but not in one place. When he journeys
five or six miles he finds another wife, who takes care of him as
his -first does ; five or ten miles further he again finds another
wife who keeps house, and so on to several.

"Chastity is held in considerable esteem among the women,
and as they are living without law, they are restrained through
fear of the husband. It excites little attention if any one of the
Indians abandons his wife. In case she have children they fol-
low her. Whilst rearing their offspring the mother exhibits great
tenderness. Each highly esteem their own children, who grow
up v'ery lively. The men scarcely ever labor, except to provide
game for cooking ; the women must attend to the remainder,
such as tilling the soil, gathering the crops, &'Z., as well as
cooking.

" What is very strange among this almost barbarous people,
there are few or none cross-eyed, blind, crippled, lame or hunch-
backed ; all are well fashioned people ; strong in constitution of
body, well proportioned, without blemish. In some places they
have abundant means, with herbs, leaves and roots, to ad-
minister to their sick ; there is scarcely an ailment they have
not a remedy for."

The above was written in 1624, by the Germans, who
had seen the Indians of New York State, at New York
Bay and on the Hudson. They carried back to Europe

INDIANS,

21

the impressions they received of this wonderful country
and its natives. But as they had then seen nothing of the
interior of the Indian country, their opinions of the great
Terra Incogniia were vague and extravagant. Referring to
the numerous lakes of New York and Michigan, they make
this statement : The Indians "who come from the mterior,
yea thirty days' journey, declare there is considerable water
everywhere, and that the upper country (Michigan) is
marshy ; they make mention of great freshets which lay
waste their lands, so that what many say may be true, that
Hudson's Bay runs through to the South Sea, and is navi-
gable, except when obstructed by ice to the northward. It
were desirable that this were once proved. . Those who
made the voyage are of the same opinion, as they found an
open sea, a rapid current, and whales [?]."

The Dutch found that among the Maikins (a tribe living
near Fort Orange, or Albany, which were probably of the
Mohawks,) there was a belief that the soul on separating
from the body went up westward, where it was met with
great rejoicing by those who had died previously ; that
they wore black otter or bear skin, which to them is a sign
of oladness. The captain of the Maikins who was named
Cat" believed that death was the offspring of the Devil who
is evil. A skipper denied this, saying that God had control
over death. The Maikin captain asked if God being good,
had the power to give and take away life, and he was
answered "yea." This the Indian could not understand,
how this good God should inflict evil, that is, death.

Such was the condition, the habits and character of the
Indians of New York State, betore white men settled
among them, and it is well for the European that the
Indian had no historian of his own. There is sufficient in
the statements of the early voyagers hither, from their own
testimonies, to condemn them, and palliate the indignities
and crimes which the Indians have visited upon the Euro-

22 • MADISON COUNTY.

pean settlers. The Indians have, however, treasured up
the history of their wrongs in tradition, which has descended
from father to son. It is a history full of injuries which bred
hatred, growing stronger from century to century, and is
the excuse for all the barbarities perpetrated upon innocent,
unoffending white persons, and the parent of the hatred
exhibited by the red men of the West. From a letter
written by John De Verrazana to his king, Francis I, of
France, in 1525, when he first discovered New York Bay,
this position is justified. He landed first in North Caro-
lina. He says : —

" Great store of people came to the sea-side and seeing us
approach they fled away, and sometimes would stand and look
back, beholding us with great admiration ; but afterwards, being
animated and assured with signs that we made them, some of
them came hard to the sea-side, seeming to rejoice very much
at the sight of us, and marveling greatly at our apparel, shape,
and whiteness ; showed us by sundry signs where we might
most commodiously come to land with our boat, offering us
also victuals to eat Remaining there for a few days, and tak-
ing note of the country he sailed northwardly, and viewed, if he
did not enter, the harbor of New York. In the haven of New-
port he remained for fifteen days, where he found the natives
the goodliest people he had seen in his voyage. At one period
during his coasting along the shores of New England, he was
compelled for the sake of fresh water, to send off his boat. The
shore was lined with savages, ' whose countenances betrayed at
the same time, surprise, joy, and fear.' They made signs of
friendship, and ' showed they were content we should come to
land.' A boat with twenty-five men attempted to land with
some presents, but on nearing the shore were intimidated by
the frightful appearance of the natives, and halted to turn back.
One, more resolute t-han the rest, seizing a few of the articles
designed as presents, plunged into the water and advanced
within three or four yards of the shore. Throwing them the
presents, he attempted to regain the boat, but was caught by a
wave and dashed upon the beach. The savages caught him.

INDIANS. ■ 23

find sitting him down by a large fire, took off his clothes. His
comrades supposed he was to be roasted and eat. Their fears
subsided, however, when they saw them testify their kindness by
caresses. It turned out that they were only gratifying their
curiosity in an examination of his person, the whiteness of his
skin, <5^•c. They released him and after ' with great love clasp-
ing him fast about ' they allowed him to swim to his comrades.
Verrazana found the natives of the more northern regions more
hostile and jealous, from having, as has been inferred, been
visited for the purpose of carrying them off as slaves. At
another anchorage, after following the shore fifty leagues, an
''old woman with a young maid eighteen years old, seeing our
company, hid themselves in the grass for fear ; the old woman
carried two infants on her shoulders, and behind her neck a child
of eight years old. The young woman was laden likewise with as
many ; but when our men came unto them the v/omen cried out ;
the old woman made signs that the men had fled into the
woods. As soon as they saw us, to quiet them, and to win
their favor, our men gave them such victuals as they had with
-them to eat, which the old woman received thankfully, but the
young woman threw them disdainfully on the ground. They
took a child from the old woman to bring into France ; and
going about to take the young woman, which was very beautiful
and tall of stature, they could not possibly, for the great out-
cries she made, bring her to the sea ; and especially having great
woods to pass through, and being far from the ship, we proposed
to leave her behind, bearing away the child only.' At another
anchorage* 'there ran down into the sea an exceeding great
stream of water, which at the mouth was very deep, and from
the sea to the mouth of the same, with the tide which they
found to raise eight foote, any great ship laden, might pass up.'
Sending up their boat, the natives expressed their admiration,
and showed them where they might safely come to land. They
went up the river half a league where it made a ' most pleasant
lake about three leagues in compass, on which the natives rode
from one side to the other to the number of thirty of their small
iboats, wherein were many people which passed from one shore

* OtF Sandy Hook, as has been inferred-

24 MADISON COUNTY.

to the Other.' At another anchorage they 'met the goodliest
people, and of the fairest condition they had found in their
voyage ; — exceeding us in bigness — of the color of brasse,,
some inclining to whiteness, black and quick e3fed, of sweet and
pleasant countenance imitating much the old fashion.' Among
them, they discovered pieces of wrought copper, which the^
' esteemed more than gold.' ' They did not desire cloth of silk,
or of gold, or of other sort, neither did they care for things made
of steel or iron, which we often showed them in our armour,
which they made no wonder at ; and in beholding them they
only asked the art of making them ; the like they did at our
glasses, which when they suddenly beheld, they laughed and
gave us again.' The ship neared the land and finally cast
anchor ' in the haven,' when, continues Verrazana, ' we bestowed
fifteen days in providing ourselves with many necessary things,
whither every day the people repaired to see our ship, bringing
their wives with them whereof they were very jealous ; and they
themselves entering aboard the ship and staying there a good
space, caused their wives to stay in their boats ; and for all the
entreaty we could make, offering to give them divers things, we
could never obtain that they should suffer to come aboard our
ship. Oftentimes one of the two kings (of this people) com-
ing .with his queen, and many gentlemen, for their pleasure to.
see us, they all staid on shore two hundred paces from us till,
they sent a message they were coming. The queen and her
maides staid in a very light boat at an island a quarter of a
league off, while the king abode a long space in the ship, utter-
ing divers conceits with gestures, viewing with great admiration
the ship, demanding the property of everything particularly.'
' There were plaines twenty-five or thirty leagues in width, which
were open and without any impediment.' They entered the
woods and found them 'so great and thick, that an army were it
ever so great might have hid itself therein ; the trees whereof
are of oak, cipresse and other sorts unknown in Europe.' The
natives fed oa pulse that grew in the country with better hus-
bandry than in the others. They observe in their sowing the
course of the moone and the rising of certain starres, and divers-
other customs spoken of by antiquity. They dwell together ia

INDIANS. 25

great numbers, some twenty-five or thirty persons in one house.
They are very pitiful and charitable towards their neighbors,
.they make great lamentations in their adversitie, and in their
miserie, the kindred reckone up all their felicitie. At their
departure out of life they use mourning mixed with singing
which continueth for a long space."

When Columbus v^^ith his crew of white men landed on
American shores the Indians regarded them with awe and
wonder, and, on account of the whiteness of their complexion,
believing them to be supernatural beings, a veneration took
possession of them, which knowledge of their earthly origin
did not entirely eradicate for ages. Hence when Vespucius
Americus landed he was treated as a superior being.
When later voyagers, the Cabots and Cartier came, when
the French settled in Florida, when Sir Walter Raleigh
first settled in Virginia, when Hudson discovered and
sailed his vessel up the river which bears his name, when
the Pilgrims colonized New England, the Indians received
them with demonstrations of reverence, affection and gen-
erosity. In the first report of Sir Walter Raleigh's ex-
pedition, in 1584, it is said that "they were entertained with
as much bounty as they could possibly devise. They
found the people most gentle, loving and faithful, void of
all guile and treason, and such as live after the manner of
the golden age." The first sermon preached in New Eng-
land, date of Dec, 1621, has in it the following in reference
to the Indians : — ■" To us they have been like lambs, so kind,
so submissive and trusty, as a man may truly say many
christians are not so kind and sincere. When we first
came into this country, we were lew, and many oi us were
sick, and many died by reason of the cold and wet, it
being the depth of winter, and we having no houses or
shelter; yet when there were not six able persons among
us, they came daily to us by hundreds with their sachems
or kings, and might in one hour have made a dispatch of
us,' yet they never offered us the least injury. The greatest

26 MADISON COUNTY.

commander in the country called Massasoit cometTi often to
visit us, though he lives fifty miles from us, often sends us
presents, &c."

Individuals with motives of cupidity, basely took advan-
tage of their evident simplicity, which roused the latent
brute qualities of the Indian nature. The Spaniards and
Portugese immediately followed up their first intercourse
with them by carrying them into captivity. The Indian's
simple creed taught him revenge and hatred. The result
of this unhappy intercourse with the Spaniards prompted
the following remarks from Kotzebue : — Wherever they
moved in anger, desolation tracked their progress, wherever
they paused in amity, affliction mourned their friendship."

Close upon the footsteps of these injuries, instruments
•of revenge were given them, — fire-arms and fire-water.
Henry Hudson in 1609, on his first visit to New York
State, discovered to them the use of fire-arms, (they had
previously used the bow and arrow, in which they were v/ell
skilled,) and taught them the greater evil, intemperance.

Hudson's account gives the following : — " While his
vessel lay in the river (near Albany it is inferred) 'great
multitudes flocked on board to survey the wonder.' In
order to discover whether ' any of the chief men of the
country had any treacherie in them, our master and mate
took them into the cabin and gave them so much wine and
aqua vitae, that they were all merrie ; and one of them had
his wife with him, which sat so modestly as any of our
counterey women, would doe in a strange plaice.' One of
them became intoxicated, staggered and fell, at which the
natives were astonished. It * was strange to them, for
they could not tell how to take it. They all hurried
ashore in their canoes. The intoxicated Indian remaining
and sleeping on board all night, the next day, others ven-
tured on board and finding him recovered, and well, they
were highly gratified. He was a chiefl In the afternoon

INDIANS. 27

they repeated their visits, brought tobacco ' and beads and
gave them to our master, and made an oration showing him
all the country round about. They took on board a platter
of venison, dressed in their own style, and 'caused him to
eate with them : — then they made him reverence, and
departed all,' except the old chief, who having got a taste
of the fatal beverage chose to remain longer on board."
Thus were the aborigines first made acquainted with what
they afterwards termed ''fire-water" and " aptly enough," says
Turner, " for it has helped to consume them."

In the ye'ar 1614, Lambrecht Van Twenhuyzen, a skipper
who came in to buy furs, thus speaks of the simplicity of
the natives : — " When they first beheld the large dogs on
board ship, they were much surprized and afraid, calling it
a Sachem of dogs. Their dogs were all small. The
dog tied on ship board was very furious against them sup-
posing them, their being clad in skins, to be beasts, giving
hini an idea they were game ; but when they gave him
bread made of Indian corn, he learned to distinguish that
they were men. The skipper presented the dog to them at
which they were greatly pleased."

• The history of the manner in which the Dutch established
themselves among the Indians is the earliest and most
minute history we have of the natives of New York. The
abundance and cheapness of furs induced the Dutch East
India Company to engage in this profitable trade. In 16 10,
a ship was sent by some merchants in Amsterdam to pur-
chase furs, and soon several others followed. In 161 3, two
trading forts were erected on the river and four houses were
built on Manhattan Island. In 1614, the States General of
the United Netherlands passed an ordinance granting all
original discoverers in North Atjierica the right of making
four voyages to such land as they had discovered for pur-
poses of trade. The discoverers formed a company called
the United New Netherlands Company, and erected, a trad-

28 MADISON COUNTY,

ing house on the Island near Albany and had it garrisoned
with ten or twelve men. Another fort was erected at the
southern point of Manhattan's Island, and men were sent in
every direction to solicit trade from the Indians.

In 1618, a flood in the North River (Hudson) injured the
Company's fort at Castle Island near Albany, and it was
removed to Norman's Kill, a few miles below. Here they
made a treaty with the Five Nations. This company
increased in power, and in view of the immense profits
accruing from the exports of the country, decided to plant
a colony, and in 1623, a ship came over from Holland bring-
ing emigrants, and eighteen families settled at a small
fort which was called Fort Orange (Albany), It is stated
by Catelyn Trico, the first white woman in Albany, that
"as soon as they had built themselves some huts of bark,
the river Indians, the Maques, Oneydes, Onondages, Cay-
ugas, Sennekas, with the Mahawawas, or Otawawas, came
and made covenants of friendship, bringing great presents
of peltry, and desired to have a constant free trade with
them, which was concluded upon, and during the three years
she lived there they came daily to trade with all the free-
dom imaginable, and were gentle and quiet as lambs."

The fur trade now flourished. The forests of central and
western New York, abounding in bear, otter and beaver,
furnished many canoe loads which were moved over Lake
Oneida, and down the Mohawk river to Albany, In Dec,
1624, a cargo from America of five hundred otter skins,
fifteen hundred beaver and some other freight to the value
of about ^12,000, was sold in Amsterdam, Vessels in re-
turning to America brought with them cattle, horses, sheep
and hogs, which were viewed by the natives with curiosity
and surprise. In Sep., 1626, a ship sailed out to Amsterdam
laden with 7,246 beaver skins, 675 otter, 48 mink, 36 wild
cat skins and various other sorts ; thus the fur trade grew
to be an extensive commerce.

INDIANS, 2g

The Dutch rapidly increased in the province of New
Netherlands, and grants of large tracts of land were
obtained by individuals, extending far into the wilderness
amidst the habitations of the Five Nations. The wealthy
patrons of these vast estates made great efforts to colonize
them. Killian Van Renssellaer, a pearl merchant of Amster-
dam, secured a tract on the west side of the Hudson, em-
bracing the site of the present city of Albany, His tract
was twenty-four miles long and forty-eight broad, and was
named Renssellaerwyck. Mr. Van Renssellaer did not re-
side in this colony, but confined its management to a Com-'
missary General or Superintendent, which office was filled
for many years by Arendt Van Curler or Corlear, a most
worthy and excellent man, who gained the esteem and love
of the Indians of all the nations about him, insomuch that
the name of Corlear became as a household word among
them, — a synonym of all that was noble, — ^and subsequently,
to all governors of the State, for whom they entertained
especial respect, they gave this endearing title. During
the period from 1640 to '45, when the first Indian war was
agitating the province, the colony of Renssellaerwyck,
under Corlear's admirable administration in cultivating the
friendship of the adjacent tribes, was undisturbed, the in-
habitants peacefully pursuing their avocations.

The competition among fur traders wrought out a most
mischievous train of events. The tricks practiced by these
traders upon the Indians, were speedily learned by them and
played back upon the white man. Misunderstandings arose,
misconstruction added to ignorance, jealousies were engen-
dered, and at length a hatred was kindled only to be eradi-
' cated by blood. In 1640, an expedition went out from Man-
hattan against the Raritans, inhabiting the main land be-
hind Staten Island, who were accused of having stolen some
hogs, which allegation, however, proved to be a mistake.
Arriving at the Indian village at an unexpected time, they

30 MADISON COUNTV.

plundered' the village, slaughtered several of the inhabitants,
burnt their crops and returned home without the loss of a
single man (!) This act impelled the Indians to retaliate,
and for the next two years acts of cruelty and revenge, in
which they indulged, are recorded.

In the mean time the Mohawks, who were at enmity to
some of the River Indians, made a descent upon them.
They fled to the protection of the Dutch at Manhattan, and
by them were fed for a fortnight. While they were thus under
the protecting wing of the city and the Mohawks encamped
near by, two parties of Dutch sailed out, one to destroy the
weak band of Indians who now lay at Corlear s Hook, the
other to make a descent upon the Mohawks who lay at
Pavonia, thus wreaking vengeance upon all tribes of Indians
alike, whether friend or foe. Eighty Indians were killed at
Pavonia, and thirty at Corlear's Hook. These were of all
ages and both sexes, and no barbarity was too shocking to
be inflicted upon them. Thirty prisoners, and the heads of
several of those who had been killed were brought in by
the returning parties.

This proceeding aroused to frenzy the indignation of all
the neighboring nations and eleven different tribes pro-
claimed war against the Dutch. This produced the first
Indian war in New York, in 1642. A terrible state of
affairs continued, till by mere force of arms the Dutch
prevailed and peace was restored in April, 1644. In 1645,
through the powerful intervention of the Mohawks, who
were at that time called the " Kings of the forest," a treaty
of peace was concluded with most of the Indian tribes, and
during the subsequent years when animosities were increas-
ing between the Dutch and English, the Indians took but
little part in the disturbances.

The English were now last populating New England and
Virginia, and the province of New Netherlands had within
its' borders many English settlers. Disturbances, arising

INDIANS. 31

from rival claims of colonists of different nationalities, and
opposite religions, were servin'g to weaken and lay New
Netherlands powerless to. the aggressions of the English,,
and final usurpation of this territory by Charles the II,
King of England, in 1664. Throughout the course of this
agitation, the Indians maintained their neutral position.
Cognizant of the change in government, they wisely held
their peace, and willingly submitted to the powers that
were. As they had done to the Dutch, so now to the
English, they acknowledged their allegiance, and with many
tokens cemented the chain of friendship.

This remarkable confederacy possessed the control of
New York State when it was first discovered, and was com-
posed of a race of men who it is said were distinguished
above all the other aborigines of this continent for their
intelligence and prowess.

Five distinct and independent tribes, the Mohawks,
Oneidas, Onondagas, Cayugas and Senecas, speaking a
language radically the same and practicing similar customs,
had united in forming this confederacy, which for durabil-
ity and power was unequalled in Indian history. By the
French they were called the Iroquois, by the English the
Five Nations, but they distinguished themselves by the
euplionious name, Ko-nosh-i-o-ni, the signification of which
is, " People of the Long-House" or " People of Many Fires."
This application refers to the union of the several tribes,
thus forming the " Long-House," with the Mohawks at the
eastern, and the Senecas at the western doors. With them
the fires upon the domestic hearth-stone was invested with
peculiar sacredness, and they looked upon their confedera-
tion as the union of so many fires or homes.

It is believed that the Iroquois succeeded a race who
were farther advanced in the arts and in civilization than
themselves, and who were the builders of the mounds and
other structures, found in the western part of this State

32 . MADISON COUNTVi,

and in Ohio. Yet tlie origin of the Iroquois is unknown.
It is beheved by early writers that they emigrated from the
country around Montreal, were dependents of the Algon-
quins, but becoming troublesome to their masters, the latter
drove them from their country, but they finally conquered
their masters and destroyed their power.

According to a tradition which was current among all
the tribes, and was written out by David Cusick, the Tus-
carora historian : — " The Holder of the Heavens took the
Indians out of a hill near Oswego Falls, and led them to
and down the Mohawk and Hudson rivers to the sea.
There they became scattered, but their great leader brought
six families back to the junction of the Hudson and Mo-
hawk, and then proceeding westerly. He planted the Five
Nations, the Mohawks, Oneidas, Onondagas, Cayugas and
Senecas, by leaving a family at the location of each, giving
them names, and slightly changing the language of each.
With the sixth family He proceeded on between mid-day
and sun-set, to the Mississippi River, which part of them
crossed upon a grape vine, but the vine breaking, those on
this side travelled easterly to the neighborhood of the oceans
and settled upon the Neuse River, in North Carolina. This
last was the Tuscarora tribe.

Pyrlaus a Dutch missionary among the Mohawks at Fort
Hunter wrote, between 1742 and 1748, that the result of
his best conjectures and information was that the Iroquois
Confederacy, or League of the Five Nations, was formed
about one age, or the length of a man's life prior to the
arrival of the Dutch, which would fix the date at about
1530, or 1535.

Whatever may have been their age, they had become a
great and powerful nation by the time the Europeans settled
New York. Their territory extended " from the mouth of
Sorrell River, on the south side ot Lakes Erie and Ontario,
on both sides of the Ohio till it falls into the Mississippi ;

INDIANS. 33

and on the north side of those lakes, that whole territory
between the Ottaway River and Lake Huron, and even
beyond the straits between that and Lake Erie." These
they claimed as their actual possessions in their settlement
with the English, but their power extended from the Con-
necticut River, and from Canada to the banks of the
Mississippi, almost to the Gulf of Mexico. They exacted
obedience fron the Indians on the banks of the Hudson,
Delaware and Connecticut Rivers, and from those on Long
Island and the north shore of the Sound. Formidable
for their valor in battle, their number and their skill, they
excited respect and awe in the most powerful tribes, and
"nations trembled when they heard the name of the
Konoshioni."

IROQUOIS CONFEDERACY.

The formation of the Confederacy, tradition attributes to
a "wise man," Daganoweda of the Onondaga Nation, who
devised this plan to protect them from invaders, and for the
common good of the five families. Onondaga being about
the center of their territory, was made the place for the cen-
tral or grand council fire. The supreme power of the Con-
federacy was vested in a Congress of Sachems, fifty in num-
ber. The Mohawks were entitled to nine representatives,
the Oneidas nine, the Onondagas fourteen, the Cayugas
ten, the Senecas eight. These were apportioned to the
numbers of each nation, therefore at its origin the Ononda-
gas were the strongest.

The Sachems were " raised up," not by their own nation,
but by a council of all the Sachems. In this " Council of
the League " resided the Executive, Legislative and Judi-
cial authority. In their own nations at home these
Sachems were the Governors, administering after the fash-
ion of the general government, with similar councils and
forms. There was also a chief Sachem in each nation an-
swering to the chief Sachem at the grand Onondaga Coun-
c

34 MADISON COUNTY.

cil. The latter was regarded as the head of the whole Con-
federacy, similar to our President. Although his office was
so high, yet his prerogatives were only such as were tacitly
allowed or conceded. His position was hereditary, derived,
says tradition, from an Onondaga Chief, Ta-do-da-hoh, who
was co-temporary with the formation of the Confederacy,
and was famous as a chief and warrior, " Down to this
day," says one writer, " among the Iroquois, his name is the
personification of heroism, forecast and dignity of character,"
He was reluctant to consent to the new order of things, for
he had previously rendered himself illustrious for his mili-
tary achievements, and he would now be shorn of his power,
and be placed among a number of equals. To remove this ob-
jection, his sachemship was dignified above the others, by
certain special privileges not inconsistent, however, with an
equal distribution of powers ; and from that day to the
present, this title has been regarded as more noble and il-
lustrious in the catalogue of Iroquois nobility. This Ta-
do-da-hoh, is the At-to-tar-ho of Cusick, who has pictured
his hero as invested with attributes more than human.
His representation is of a monarch quietly smoking, while
an embassy of Mohawks have come to confer with him in
regard to the formation of the League. He is seated in
the shadow of one of the almost impenetrable marshes of
Onondaga ; he is clothed in living serpents whose hissing
heads are extended in every direction. His dishes and
spoons were made of the skulls of his enemies, slain in bat-
tle. Inspired with awe and respect, the Mohawks approach
him, proffer their presents, smoke their pipes of peace and
friendship, and place him at the head of the League as
Chief Officer.

In this combination of five independent nations, all sub-
ordinate to the general government, there arose no clashing
of interests ; this was occasioned by the fact that the rulers
of the subordinate government were the rulers of the gen-

INDIANS. 35

eral government, who regulated all conflicting interests in
General Council. In cases of emergency, each nation acted
independently, but the General Council decided upon peace
or war, and all other matters which regarded the interests
of the whole. Although such momentous questions were
decided by the Sachems, yet such was the spirit of this
system of government, that the influence of the inferior
chiefs, the warriors, and even the women, would make itself
felt when the subject was of general interest and had
aroused public feeling.

The office of Sachem was hereditary, but the chief
Sachem was generally chosen for his talents, and usually
was designated as the speaker.

There were the same number of war Chiefs in each na-
tion as Sachems, who were subordinate to the civil com-
mands of the council ; but if the two, a war Chief and a
Sachem went out to war together, the authority was there
reversed ; the war Chief was supreme, the Sachem a sub-
ordinate in the ranks. The supreme command in war was
delegated to two Chiefs raised up as the Sachems were,
their office hereditary. They were in all cases to be of
the Seneca Nation, as this was looked upon as the door
whence invaders would approach, and they were ever ex-
pected to be on their guard.

Other classes of officers that have appeared in the Con-
federacy, have been elected from time to time as emergency
called for them, their powers being originally confined to the
local affairs of their respective nations ; they were home
counsellors of the Sachems, but in process of time arrived
at equal authority.

The machinery ot this government was exceedingly sim-
ple and sat lightly upon the people. To govern as little as
possible seemed their aim, thereby recognizing the funda-
mental principle of more enlightened nations, that happiness

36 MADISON COUNTY.

results from the largest liberty consistent with the public
welfare.

The Iroquois Nation or Hodenosaunee,* (Tribal League)
consisted of eight tribes, arranged in two divisions and
named as follows : — Wolf, Bear, Beaver, Turtle; Deer, Snipe,
Heron, Hawk.

In the formation of a tribe, a portion was taken from
many households and bound together by a tribal bond,
which bond consisted of the ties of consanguinity, for all
the members were connected by relationship, which under
their law of descent was clearly traceable.

These tribes thus organized, were each divided into five
parts, one-fifth placed in each of the Five Nations, thus
giving to each nation eight tribes. Between the separated
parts of each tribe, there existed a tie of brotherhood which
linked the nations together by an indissoluble bond. With
the ties of kindred as its principle of union, the whole race
was interwoven into one great family. Thus, the Turtle
tribe of Mohawk, recognizes the Turtle tribe of the Oneidas
as his brother, and so on through the whole Six Nations,
the same tribe are the brethren of each other through the
ties of consanguinity. Each tribe paints the animal deno-
ting their tribe on their cabins, and often on their dress.

The marriage institution was regulated with reference to
the relationship of tribes, and those who were kindred to
each other, that is, of the same tribe, were prohibited inter-
marrying.

The Wolf, Bear, Beaver and Turtle, were in the original
arrangement, considered brothers to each other, from near
relationship, and were not to intermarry, also Deer, Snipe,
Heron and Hawk, were brothers and prohibited intermarry-
ing, but either of the first four could intermarry with the
last four. This system yielded in process of time, and they
were allowed to marry with any tribe but their own.

*See Turner's Hist. Holland Purchase, page 53.

INDIANS.

2>7

The children always followed the tribe of the mother,
and the transmission of all titles, rights, and property were
in the female line. For instance, if the Sachemship or
war-chief-ship of a nation, at the original distribution of
these offices, was given to one in the Deer tribe of that
nation, the descent of this title being limited to the female
line, it could never, by any means pass out of this tribe ;
for the child is known to be the son of his mother, but is
not neccessarily the son of his mother's husband. The
individuality given the tribe by being the parent of a
Sachem, made it a matter of pride to guard that right with
jealous care. When the Sachem died the title did not pass
to his son, as the child was a member of the tribe of his
mother, but it passed to the Sachem's brother, or to his
sister's son, or under circumstances of incapacity in that
line, to some individual of the tribe at large, who were in
fact all brothers. In this manner the office was both elec-
tive and hereditary. There was no law which established a
preference between the brother or nephew ; neither between
several brothers, or several sons of sisters. Neither was
there any positive law that the choice should embrace the
near relatives of the deceased, before a selection could be
made from the tribe at large. Therefore it was only custo-
marily hereditary through respect to the memory of the
deceased ; but it was positively hereditary to the tribe, and
within its limits there was no law to prevent its being elective.

The selection of a Sachem on the decease of a ruler was
effected by the assembling of a tribal council If there was
no one eligible among the relations of the deceased, one
was chosen from the tribe whose sagacity, wisdom and
prowess merited the position. Having determined their
choice, a council of the nation is called in the name of the
deceased, of all the Sachems of the League, and the new
Sachem is " raised up " by such council, and invested with
his office.

38 MADISON COUNTY.

The Sachems, as well as war Chiefs, receive nothing but
the honors of the office as compensation for their services.
When off duty they were obliged to maintain themselves like
other men. li by misconduct the Sachem or Chief was found
unworthy of authority, a tribal council deposes him, a suc-
cessor is selected and invested with authority, while he is
subjected to public scorn and degradation.

To the tribe was secured the certainty of descent in the
female line — the prohibition of intermarrying was positive —
while it had the capacity of holding and exercising political
rights, and the ability to contract and sustain relationship
with the other tribes.

The wife, her children, and her descendants in perpetuity
were linked with the destinies of her own tribe and kindred,
while the husband, his brothers and sisters, and the de-
scendants of the latter in the female line, would in like
manner, be united to another tribe and held by its affinities.
By this rule of marrying into the tribes not connected, the
League of the Nation was cemented ; if one nation warred
against another, he would war against his brother or his
cousin. Joncaire says, " the Nations have this in common ;
a man who goes to war denotes himself as much by the de-
vice of his wife's tribe, as by that of his own, and never
marries a woman who carries a similar device to his own."

There was thus constructed a plan to prevent degeneracy
of the race, and a bond of union between the different
tribes, and of the different nations also, which is likened to
the symbolical chain with its many links, all connected, in-
terwoven, perfect in its simple arrangement, far-reaching
and strong.

The Chief Sachem of the Confederacy had the authority
to assemble a General Congress, or to light the "Grand
Council fire," which he did by sending out runners to all
the nations with belts of wampum, indicating the nature of

INDIANS. 39

the business on hand. Upon important occasions nearly
the whole Confederacy would flock to Onondaga, the
grand Council seat. Assembled there, the Council was
classed in two divisions ranged on opposite sides of the
council-fire. The subject was then discussed on the one
side and the other, with great ceremony. To avoid alter-
cation in council, and to facilitate unanimity, the Sachems
of each nation were divided into classes of two and three
each. Each Sachem was forbidden to express an opinion,
until he had agreed with the others of his class, and had
been appointed by them to act as speaker. In this manner
each class was brought to unanimity within itself The
representative Sachem of each class of the nation then held
a consultation between themselves, and when they had
agreed, they appointed one of their number to express their
opinion which was the answer of the nation. The several
nations having by this ingenious method become of " one
mind" separately, it remained to compare their several
opinions, to arrive at the final sentiment of all the nations of
the League. This was effected by a cross conference be-
tween the individual representatives of the several nations,
and when they had arrived at unanimity, the answer of the
Confederacy was determined. Thus unanimity became the
fundamental law.

"Still further to illustrate the characteristics of the
tribes of the Iroquois, some reference to their mode of
bestowing names would not be inapt. Soon after the birth
of an infant, the near relatives of the same tribe, select a
name. At the first subsequent council of the nation, the
birth and name were publicly announced, together with the
name and tribe of the father, and the name and tribe of the
mother. In each nation the proper names were so strong-
ly marked by a tribal peculiarity, that the tribe of the in-
dividual could usually be determined from the name alone.
Making as they did, a part of their language, they were

40 MADISON COUNTV.

consequently all significant. When an individual was
raised up as a Sachem, his original name was laid aside, and
that of the Sachem-ship itself assumed. The war-chief
followed the same rule. In like manner, at the raising up
of a chief, the council of the nation which performed the
ceremony, took away the former name of the incipient
chief, and assigned him a new one, perhaps, like Napoleon's
titles, commemorative of the event which led to its bestow-
ment. Thus, when the celebrated Red-Jacket was elevated
by election to the dignity of chief, his original name Ote-
ti-an-i, (Always Ready) was taken from him, and in its
place was bestowed, Sa-go-ye-wat-ha, (Keeper Awake) in
allusion to his powers of eloquence."*

The following are the names of the several degrees of
relationship recognized among the Hodenosaunee in the
language of the Seneca : —

Hoc-sote, Grandfather ; Uc-sote, Grandmother ; Ha-nih,
Father; Noh-yeh, Mother; Ho-ah-wuk, Son; Go-ah-wukr
Daughter ; Ka-va-da, Grand-children ; Hoc-no-seh, Uncle ;
Ah-geh-huc, Aunt ; Ha-yan-wan-deh, Nephew ; Ka-yan-
wan-deh. Niece ; Da-ya-gwa-dan-no-da, Brothers and Sisters ;
Ah-gare-seh, Cousin.

There was no written language save that of hieroglyph-
ics, which being well understood among the Iroquois,
served a very useful purpose. For example : if a company
goes out to war, and they desire to inform others of the Iro-
quois who might cross their path, of this proceeding, they
mark on a tree from which the bark has been removed, the
signature of their tribe, the animal with a hatchet, sabre or
club in the right paw, signifying " on the war-path." If
several tribes are engaged in the expedition, the signature of
all are inscribed, that of the leader being placed foremost.
The symbol of the nation is given also ; thus the symbol of

*The above quotation U from Tamer's Hist. Holland Parchase, page 58.

INDIANS, 41

the Oneidas, is " The Stone," which they give by placing a
stone in the fork of a tree.

Returning from war they paint the animal of their tribe
bearing across his shoulders a staff, upon which is strung
the scalps taken in battle. If there are prisoners, they are
represented marching in the rear, with a gourd in the right
hand. Women are designated by the queue and waist-
cloth. Those they lose in battle are shown by pictures of
men without heads and with legs in air, and to denote the
tribe to which they belong, the animal of that tribe lies on
his back with his paws in the air. A headless animal de-
notes the loss of the chief, or head of the tribe. A broken
arrow or gun, which however is connected with the stock,
signifies wounded, and the animal of the tribe to which the
wounded belongs, has an arrow piercing him in the part in
which the wound is located. Rude pictures of " litters "
show they have sick and describe how many. Sometimes
over the illustrious dead they erect a post four or five feet
high, and embellish it with pictures of deeds of valor per-
formed in life — how often he has been in battle, how many
prisoners he has taken, &c., — over all of which is painted in
red, the calumet, — the " pipe of peace."

The Indians became so thoroughly versed in this method
of symbolical language, that every paragraph, and every
mark, presented a perfectly lucid explanation. So great
was their power of perception, so keen their practiced eyes,
that the position of a stick or stone, a broken twig, a fallen
leaf, a foot print, gave an accurate statement of affairs.

THEIR CUSTOMS IN WAR.

The science of war-fare was the highest accomplishment
known in the Indian education. From birth, the stern,
rigid, and severer qualities of manhood were taught as
manly virtues, while the gentler qualities, meekness, sym-
pathy and forgiveness, were ignored as weaknesses
unworthy a warrior, fit only for women to practice, and

42 MADISON COUNTY.

which were proofs of her inferiority, hence indifference to
suffering was a manly attribute, and to glory in cruelty to
an enemy, an honorable action. Revenge for wrongs done
to them was religiously cherished.

There were, however, frequent instances, where indi-
viduals were governed by the grand principle of mag-
nanimity which forbade the warrior to strike a fallen foe.
In such a case captives taken in battle were adopted into
the tribe, became one of them in every respect, shared
equally in all pastimes, all privileges, and in all honors ; if
any difference was made, it was in favor of the stranger.
If he mourned separation from friends, they were supplied
him. Father, mother, brother and sister, and wife, were all
in due season presented to him. So uniform was their
kindness that in many instances the captive has preferred
his captivity. Even white persons have become so attached
to the novelties of their situation, and perhaps to the free-
dom found in this natural life, where there are no restraints,
that they have chosen to remain with their captors, rather
than return to civilization.

The preparations for the war-path were commonly opened
by a feast and dance, in which the whole tribe took part.
Directly from the dance, they took the trail, their chief
taking the lead, marching in single file, the only manner of
march practicable in their narrow trails through the woods.

Says an ancient writer : " When they fight they are very
Molechs, and have merely the waist-cloth on, and a pair of
moccasins on the feet." They display remarkable adroit-
ness and strategy in approaching an enemy's village, or
encampment, and impress one with the conviction of their
excellent planning ability in conducting a campaign, but
their valor is nowhere so signally displayed, as in the heat
of battle. Everything falls before them and they appear to
be entirely carried away by the force of their passions.
Women and children alike fall under their barbarous fury.

INDIANS. 43

This is spoken of the common warrior ; there have been
instance recorded of warriors' Chiefs who would not strike
a fallen foe, or harm defenceless women and children ; and
yet, as in many instances in civilized warfare, it has
been impossible for them to restrain their infuriated braves
in battle. The scalping of a slain foe, in their estimation,
was no wrong, as it was no injury to the body already in-
sensible in the embrace of death, and it added to the
trophies of conquest. But, after the heat of the fight had
passed, they evinced a superstitious repugnance and fear,
at beholding the dripping blood ; therefore two or three
men were chosen to carry the scalps and march at a dis-
tance in the rear of the party, till they had ceased to bleed.

When they had prisoners, the chiefs consulted together
whether these captives should be put to death or adopted.
If any one objected and desired to adopt the prisoner, the
request was granted even if made by a woman. If the cap-
tive was to be destroyed, those who were to perform the
terrible work, became dead to all teelings of humanity.
They sought in every manner to stimulate their savage pro-
pensities. Every wrong done their race, by the race or na-
tion to which the prisoner belonged were recounted and en-
larged upon ; extravagant exaggerations were indulged till
their breasts were aflame with fury, when their vengeance
was wreaked upon the helpless prisoner. The tortures and
horrible death to which Indians have subjected their victims,
have been portrayed many times, and it has inspired the
mind of the white race with horror and hatred so entire,
that the redeeming qualities of the Indian character can
scarcely be discerned.

There was, however, a redeeming principle in their breasts,
else this plan of adoption had never been ordered. By their
custom from time immemorial, the captive was adopted to
supply the place of their own slain in battle, and many a
victim has been snatched from the flames to be adopted by

44 MADISON COUNTY.

some Indian mother to occupy the place of a lost son. The
revulsion in sentiment astonishes him ; the influence of
kindness wins him ; the "freedom of the woods" charms
him ; he is no longer an alien, but socially and politically
one of their kindred and beloved by them. The utmost
exertions are made to cause him to forget their former
cruelty to him, and he does forget, and remains with them.

The religious belief and ceremonies of the Iroquois, their
dress and other customs were similar to those of all the
other Indians of this State as described by the early voy-
agers hither, and given in the beginning of this chapter.
However, the progress attendant upon their form of gov-
ernment had brought about a higher cultivation, and a bet-
ter state of living. They surpassed all other Indian nations
in size and elegance of form, dignified bearing and
particularly in their powers of eloquence. Their language
though gutteral, was sonorous, and their orators studied
euphony in their words and in their arrangement.
" Their graceful attitudes," says a distinguished writer,
" and gestures, and their flowing sentences rendered their
discourses, if not always eloquent, at least highly impressive.
An erect, commanding figure, with a blanket thrown loosely
over the shoulder, with his naked arm raised, and address-
ing in impassioned strains a group of similar persons sitting
upon the ground around him, would give no faint picture of
Rome in her early days."

They were very methodical in their harangues. When
in conference with other nations, at the conclusion of every
important sentence of the opposite speaker, a Sachem gave
a small stick, or a belt of wampum, to the orator who was
to reply, charging him at the same time to remember it.
After a short consultation with the others, he was able to-
repeat most of the discourse, which he answered article by
article.

ff" INDIANS. 45

FIRST INVASION OF THE IROQUOIS COUNTRY BY EUROPEANS,

James Cartier, with an expedition from France in 1535,
opened the way for the French to the homes of the Iroquois.
He sailed up the St. Lawrence to an Indian village on the
present site of Montreal, which village consisted of about
fifty well built houses of wood which were covered by bark
of trees as " wide as any board and very finely and cun-
ningly joined together." The village was surrounded by
large and thrifty fields of corn. It was the home of a tribe
ol Hurons.

Returning to France, Cartier, in 1540, with Roberval,
made another voyage to this country, and Cartier built a
fort at Quebec, which, however, he left for a return to his
native country in 1542.

From this period, owing to agitations in the mother
country, more than fifty years elapsed ere the wilds of north-
ern America witnessed the approach of another French ves-
sel, and the Iroquois only knew by tradition the character-
istics of the white race. In the meantime, however, several
expeditions had been sent out by English and other foreign
authorities, which had landed on the coasts of our Southern
States. These had proved but abortive attempts at coloni-
zation.

In 1603, Samuel Champlain came out from France with
an expedition, reached America, entered the St. Lawrence,
and following in the path of Cartier, sailed up to Quebec
and there selected the site of his fort. He established here
a trading post for the purpose of dealing in the fur trade.
In order to win the favor of the Hurons, he became their
ally against the Iroquois. The power of the Iroquois was a
source of dread to the Canada Indians, the Hurons and Al-
gonquins, and they encouraged the French with hopes that
their assistance might break that power.

In 1609, Champlain suffered himself to be led by their
oft-repeated persuasions to go out to the Iroquois country

46 MADISON COUNTY.

to subjugate them. In July the expedition of French and
Indians entered the Iroquois country, and the»first pitched
battle between white men and Indians on this continent,
was fought the 30th day of July, 1609, between Champlain
and his allies, and the Iroquois, in the vicinity of Ticon-
deroga, a place afterwards made famous by battles of the
French and Revolutionary wars. In this battle the Iro-
qucis were taught a terrible lesson of the use of fire-arms in
warfare. They knew of no better weapons than the hatchet,
war club and arrow. They came to this battle led by three
Chiefs who wore lofty plumes. They were all clad in an
arrow proof armor (a remarkable circumstance — worn prob-
ably to protect themselves from balls, the nature of which
they knew but little,) woven of cotton-thread and wood.
Champlain and his men were armed with arquebuses, his
Indians with arrows. At the first round from the arque-
buses, two of the three Chiefs were killed, and the third so
wounded that he died soon after. When the Iroquois saw
their Chiefs were slain, they took flight, abandoning the
field and the fort they had hastily built during the previous
night, bearing their wounded into the depths of the forest.
Champlain, with fifteen or sixteen arrow-wounded soldiers,
returned to Canada, carrying a dozen prisoners which his
men captured of the flying Iroquois in the woods.

At this same period, 1609, Hudson made the acquaint-
ance of the Indians about the North River, and of him
they obtained and learned to use fire-arms.

Champlain went to France, and returned to America
again in 16 15, when he again invaded the territory of the
Iroquois in western New York. Finding them entrenched,
he attacked their fort which was situated somewhere in the
neighborhood of Canandaigua. The fortress was most
admirably constructed, and successfully resisted all efforts
made toward its destruction. The Indians fought with
arrows. After several days of futile attempts, the work

INDIANS, 47

was abandoned, and Champlain returned to Canada, bearing
on the way his wounded on litters, till they reached their
canoes on the Lake. He had now incurred the hatred of
the Iroquois ; and the Dutch, who had settled at New York
and Albany, had, by demonstrations of good will, secured
their friendship.

The Five Nations, repaired to Albany with presents as
covenants of good faith ; the trade of furs became estab-
lished so largely that the Dutch East India Company grew
rich upon the traffic. The New Netherlands Colony in-
creased and flourished, and to Corlear (the honored Gov-
ernor of Renssellaerwyck,) the Indians cheerfully acknowl-
edged obedience. This state of affairs, so propitious to the
interests of the Dutch, might have longer continued, had
not cupidity entered the breast of traders, and resentment
the heart of the Indian, which culminated in the war of
1642, in which the Iroquois took up the hatchet in defence
of weaker nations, and then, by their wise diplomacy and
powerful influence, secured the only permanent negotia-
tions of peace, which were effected in 1645.

In the mean time Champlain had died and Montneagy
had succeeded him. The Jesuits had established them-
selves in New France, as Canada was called ; had planted
the standard of their faith among the northern Indians, and
now they ventured among the haughty Iroquois. Their
peaceful demeanour, the impressiveness of their religious
ceremonials, won upon the hearts of the untaught children
of the forest, and many of them rejoiced to find a settled
hope in the place of a superstitious fear ; and thus the
Jesuits gained a place and secured a foothold for France
among the Five Nations.

Father Simon Le Moine who was established at Onon-
daga in 1654, gives one of the earliest and most minute
accounts of these missions. He describes his reception
among the Indians as an event of rejoicing. The people

48 MADISON COUNTY.

flocked around him and listened with eager attention to his
words. On the iQth of August, with delegates from three
of the neighboring nations, Father Le Moine, and his party
of Frenchmen, held a general council of peace with the
Iroquois Nations. At this council, Le Moine was the bearer
of "words" from '' Onnonthio" (Mons. De Lauzon, then
Governor of New France,) each of which were confirmed by
presents. He relates that " at each present they heaved a
powerful ejaculation from the bottom of the chest in testi-
mony of their joy. I was full two hours making my whole
speech, talking like a Chief, and walking about like an actor
on the stage, as is their custom." After this, the Indians
consulted together for the space of two hours,' and then
" called me among them, and seated me in an honorable place.
The Chief, who is tongue of the country, repeats faith-
fully, as orator, the substance of all my words. Then all
set to singing in token of their gratification. I was told to
pray God on my side, which I did very willingly. After
these songs, he spoke to me in the name of his nation."
This orator was followed by others from the different
nations, and the speeches recorded are full of feeling and
power, all testifying to the good will in their hearts for the
French.

Events, which occurred subsequently during Le Moine's
mission of four years, proved to the Iroquois that the
designs of the French were not wholly to Christianize ; but
were mainly to secure dominion over them. The success
of the Jesuits induced considerable numbers of the French
to emigrate thither, and soon troubles began to develop.
For the murder of an Onondaga by a French Indian, the
Iroquois renewed their war upon the Hurons, who were
subjects of the French Government. Also three French-
men were killed at Montreal by a party of Oneidas, who
scalped their victims, and " carried these as if in triumph to
their villages, in token of declared war." For this act of
hostility a dozen Iroquois were arrested by the French

INDIANS.

4^

coramander, and put in irons, at Montreal, Three Rivers,
and Quebec, where they happened to be at the time. This
so irritated the Iroquois, that they determined to avenge
themselves by war against the French. In February, 1658,
the Jesuits ascertained that 200 Mohawks, 40 Oneidas, and
some of the Onondaga warriors had taken the field, while
the main body were assembling. This determined the
Jesuits and the Frenchmen, their assistants, to depart.
They conducted their preparations for removal with such
secrecy and celerity, that the Onondagas were wholly de-
ceived, and knew nothing of their flight until the journey
of part of a night and a day had widened the distance be-
tween them. Fear of massacre alone compelled them to un-
dertake this perilous journey, amid the inclemencies of wintry
weather, it being the 20th of March, 1658, when they em-
barked on Onondaga River, with two batteaux and eight
canoes, which composed their fleet, with fifty-three French-
men. They arrived at Quebec on the 23d of April, in
safety, after having encountered untold suffering and perils.

" The French government then determined to chastise the
Iroquois for their obstinacy ; or, as appears from a report to
that government, upon the principle that "no advantage
can he expected from these nations, except so far as we ap-
pear able to injure them." To insure the success of an ex-
pedition against them, it was necessary to become ac-
quainted with the routes leading to and through their
country. The benefits of the scheme, its practicabihty, to-
gether with the information gained of the situation of the
country, was transmitted in a message to the Home Gov-
ernment, (France,) from wh'ch the subjoined extracts are
made.

The route proceeded from Quebec across the country, to
the first nation, the Mohawks, which consisted of " two or
three villages, containing, three O'" fou- hundred men cajoa-
ble of bearing arms. * * * Proceeding westward at

D

50

MADISON COUNTY.

a distance of forty-five leagues is found the second nation,
called Oneyda, which has no more at most than one hundred
and forty warriors. * * * * Fifteen leagues toward
sunset is Onnontague which has full three hundred men.

* * * * y^t twenty or thirty leagues from there, still
toward the west is the village of Cayuga with three hun-
dred warriors, where in the year 1657, we had a mission.

* * * •jfr Toward the termination of the Great Lake
called Ontario, is located the most numerous of the Five
Iroquois Nations, named the Senekas, with full twelve hun-
dred men, in two or three villages of which it is composed.

* * * * All this extent of country is partly south and
partly west of the French settlements, at a distance of from
one hundred to one hundred and fifty leagues. It is for the
most part fertile, covered with fine timber ; among the rest,
entire forests of chestnut and hickory, intersected by nu-
merous lakes and rivers abounding in fish. The air is tem-
perate, the seasons regular as in France, capable of bearing
all the fruits of Touraine and Provence. The snows are
not deep nor of long duration. The three winters which
we passed there among the Onnontagues, were mild com-
pared with the winters at Quebec, where the ground is
covered five months with snow, three, four and five feet
deep. As we inhabit the northern part of New France
and the Iroquois the South, it is not surprising that their
lands are more agreeable, and more capable of cultivation,
and of bearing better fruit. * * * ^ The forest is
full of deer, bears, and wild cows (.''); sometimes entire herds
of fallow deer, which supply abundance of provisions neces-
sary to travellers everywhere."

Thus it will be seen that the French laid claim to all
Northern and Central New York, and intended to make
good that claim by conquest.

The Mohawks occupied the country along the Mohawk
River, the Oneidas south, east and north of Oneida Lake, the

INDIANS. 5 1

Onondagas, Cayugas, and Senecas spreading over the whole
fertile region of Western New York. The French com-
menced encroachments by building forts in this country,
for the two-fold purpose of securing traders' stores, and to in-
timidate the natives.

In the winter of 1666, Mons. DeCourcelles,with five hund-
red men, made a descent upon the Mohawk country. The ex-
pedition was attended with hardships and sufifering, and
when they reached the Dutch settlements, they found that
the Mohawk and Oneida warriors had gone on a long jour-
ney to make war against the tribe called Wampum Makers,
and had left in their villages only the children and helpless
old men. The report says : " It was then considered use-
less to push further forward an expediton which had all the
effect intended, by the terror it spread among the tribes,
who were haughty and perfidious, only because they con-
sidered themselves inaccessible to our troops. Before re-
turning, however, we killed several savages, who from time
to time made their appearance along the skirts of the forest
for the purpose of skirmishing with our people."

The French now flattered themselves that the natives
were sufficiently overawed, and they might count on their
subjugation on any terms ; but in a general council at
Quebec in the ensuing summer, all the Five Nations were
well represented, and finding them to be really formidable,
they arranged an honorable treaty of peace, in which the
Iroquois gave many tokens of the genuineness of their
pledges. This treaty was grossly violated by the French
immediately after ; they went to work secretly, and by
autumn had collected a force of twelve hundred soldiers
a hundred Hurons and Algonquins, and with Gover-
nor Tracy at the head, marched through the Iroquois
towns, and finding the inhabitants fled, laid waste their
stores of grain and devastated their villages. Desolation
followed their path everywhere. " Famine " it was averred
by the French, "will destroy as many as would have been

52 MADISON COUNTY,

destroyed by the arms of our soldiers, had they dared to
await them, and those who survive will be reduced by terror
to peaceful conditions, and to a demeanour more difficult
to be obtained from them by mere sanguinary victories."
The Iroquois forts were formally taken possession of, and
the Cross planted before the doors, and to a post affixed the
Arms of the King of France. Deeming themselves
quite secure in their authority, the French sent in their
spies, traders and priesis, who with their presents and
peaceful conduct, soon secured a class of adherents among
the natives. The mission at Oneida named St. Francis
Xavier, was established by Father Jacques Bruyas, in 1667,,
where he remained till 1671.

From this period the cause of the French gained, and
their trade flourished among the Indians of Central Nev/
York ; nevertheless, the nations were in allegiance to the
English and annually went to Albany to renew the chain of
friendship.

Though Governor Nichols of New York, remonstrated
with Governor Tracy for his intrusion, and made laws for-
bidding the French to enter their territory under severe
penalties, and also obtained a promise from the Iroquois
that they would not allow them to remain among them, yet
these were no more than nominal laws, threats, and prom-
ises. The Iroquois had cared but little about the changes
which had transpired in the subversion of the Dutch
government to English rule ; had paid little heed to the
embroils of the English and French, and had only seemed
desirous of living in peace with all their white neighbors.
If the English lost the precedence among the natives, it
was only from neglecting to take the same care to cultivate
them that the French did.

But the English entered their country only to purchase
furs, and these were generally brought to Albany by the
natives. The earliest record we have of English travelers

INDIANS. 53

having penetrated the Indian country to any considerable
distance, was given by Wentworth Greenhalgh, who made his
journey between the dates of May 20th and July 14th, 1677.
It was thirteen years since the province came under the
control of the Duke of York, and but three years since his
rule had become finally established, and the English were
desirous to ascertain the bounds and resources of the
province. From the journal kept by Greenhalgh the fol-
lowing extract is taken : — " The Maques have four towns,
viz : Cahanaiga, Canagorah, Canajorha, Tionondogue, besides
one small village about 1 10 miles from Albany.

" Cahanaiga is double stockaded round ; has four ports,
about four foot wide apiece, conteyns about 24 houses, and
is situate upon the edge of an hill, about a bow shot from
the river side.

" Canagorah is only single stockaded ; has four ports like
the former, conteyns about 16 houses; it is situated upon a
flat, a stone's throw from the water's side.

" Canajorha is also singly stockaded, and like the manner
of ports and quantity of houses of Canagora ; the like
situation, only about two miles distant from the water.

" Tionondoque is double stockaded round, has four ports
four foot wide apiece, contains about 30 houses ; it is situ-
ated on a hill about a bow shot from the river.

"The small village is without fence and conteyns about
ten houses ; lyes close by the river side, on the north side
as do all the former.

" The Maques pass in all for about 300 fighting men.
Their corn grows close by the River Side.

" Of the situation of the Oneidas and Onondagas and
their strength :

" The Oneydas have but one town which lyes about 130
miles westward of the Maques.(?) It is situated about 20
miles from a smaU river, [from the mouth of Oneida

54 MADISON COUNTY.

Creek ?] which comes out of the hills to the southward and
runs into Lake Teshiroque, [Oneida Lake,] and about 30
miles distant from the Maques [Mohawk] River, which lyes
to the northward ; the town is newly settled, double stock-
aded, but little cleared ground, so that they are forced to
send to the Onondagoes to buy corn ; the town consists of
about 100 houses. They are said to have about 200 fight-
ing men. Their corn grows round about the town.

" The Onondagoes have but one town, but it is very large ;
consisting of about 140 houses not fenced ; it is situate upon
a hill that is very large, the bank on each side extending it-
self at least two miles, cleared land, whereon the corn is
planted. They have likewise a small village about two
miles beyond that, consisting of about 24 houses. They
lye to the southward of the west, about 36 miles from the
Oneydas. They plant abundance of corn which they sell to
the Oneydas. The Onondagoes are said to be about 350
fighting men. They lye about 15 miles from Teshiroque."

The traveller further described the villages of the Iro-
quois, the Cayugas and Senecas, and thus concluded with
the Senecas : —

"The Senecas have four towns, viz. : Canagorah, Tishte-
hatan, Canoenada, Keint-he. Canagorah and Tistehatan
lie within thirty miles of Lake Frontenac ; the other two
about four or five miles to the southward of there ; they
have abundance of corn. None of these towns are stock-
aded.

" Canagorah lies on the top of a great hill, and in that as
well as in bigness, much like Onondagoe, containing 150
houses.

" Here the Indians were very desirous to see us ride our
horses, which we did. They made feasts and dancing.

" Tishtehatan lies on the edge of a hill ; not much cleared
ground ; is near the river Tishtehaten, which signifies bend-

INDIANS. 55

ing ; it lies northward of Canagorah about 30 miles. Con-
teyns about 120 houses, being the largest of all the houses
we saw, the ordinary being 50 or 60 feet and some 1 30 or
140 feet long with 13 or 14 fires in one house. They have
good store of corn growing about a mile to northward of
the town.

" Canoenada lies about 4 miles to southward of Canago-
rah ; contains about 30 houses, well furnished with corn.

" Kint-he lies about 4 or 5 miles to the southward of Tis-
tehaten ; conteyns about 24 houses well furnished with corn.

" The Senecas are counted to be in all about 1,000 fight-
ing men. The whole force, Maques 300, Oneydoes 200,
Onondagoes 350, Cayugas 300, with Senecas 1,000, making
a total of 2,150 fighting men."

The English Government now became interested in af-
fairs of the Indians, who, in return, introduced them to the
fur trade of the western lakes, and Gov. Dongan caused the
Coat-of-Arms of His Royal Highness, Duke of York, to be
put up in all the Indian Castles. Incensed at this the
French redoubled their enterprises with great vigor, and
causes of irritation immediately sprung up between them
and the Iroquois, and the latter retaliated by killing a Jesuit
Missionary, and subsequently by making a descent upon a
fort, and plundering seven French canoes laden with mer-
chandise, and detaining the traders.

At this period, 1684, Mons. De La Barre, Governor Gen-
eral of Canada, had stationed Father Lamberville at Onon-
daga, and Father Pierre Millet at Oneida. These priests
were in constant communication with their governor and
wisely endeavored to keep peace. Nevertheless De La
Barre fitted out an expedition to subjugate the Iroquois.
In behalf of the two nations, for whom they were mission-
aries, these priests journeyed to meet La Barre and if possi-
ble turn him from the project. The Governor was, however,

56 MADISON COUNTY. '

more easily pursuaded by the alarming sickness of his troops
when at Hungry Bay, Jefferson Co., which caused his ex-,
pedition to terminate without fighting.

The French were dissatisfied because De La Barre did
not fight. The King of France wanted the Indians for
galley slaves, and thenceforth the subjugation of the
Iroquois became a popular theme.

The English had begun to realize the value of their
swarthy neighbors, and thus Governor Dongan eulogized
them in a report to the English Government. " The Five
Nations are the most warlike and powerful of all the Indian
nations, and are a bulwark between us and the French and
all the other Indians ; they go so far as the South sea, [Gulf
of Mexico,] the North West Passage, [Mackinack,] and
Florida to war. New England, in their last war with the
Indians, had been ruined had not Sir Edmund Andros,
[Governor of N. Y.] sent some of those Nations to their
assistance ; and indeed they are so considerable that all the
Indians in these parts of America are tributary to them.
* * * They have ten or twelve castles. * * *
Those Five Nations are very brave, and the awe
and dread of all the Indians in these parts of America, and-
are a better defense to us than if they were so many Chris-
tians. * * * * xhe designs of the French is to
acquire the beaver trade, whatever colour they may give to
their actions."

Mons. De Nonville succeeded De La Barre as governor
of Canada, and as a precaution in planning another expe-
dition against the Indians, he pays them the following
tribute in a report to his King : — " The force of the Iroquois
consists of 2000 picked warriors, brave, active, more skillful
in the use of the gun than Europeans, and all well armed.'
The French really dreaded and feared to meet them on
their own ground, knowing by bitter experience, that their
peculiar mode of warfare, resorting to ambush, hiding behind

INDIANS. 57

trees, lying upon the ground, and other ruses, were Hkely to
prove successful in the future, as in the past. Nevertheless,
the summer of 1687 witnessed De Nonville's famous expedi-
tion into the Seneca country, where he maintained a brief
period of carnage and devastation, in which his command
suffered, as well as the Iroquois. His success did not invite
to further conquests, and it is inferred that the French gained
little honor and less advancement in this rencontre. The
next summer they succeeded in getting a large delegation
from the Iroquois to Montreal for negotiations.

In 1689, the province of New York had arrived at a
period renowned in history. The English under William and
Mary, and the French under Louis XIV, were, as nations,
fairly launched on a sea of embroils and difficulties, and
their American provinces partook of the national animosi-
ties. The command of New York had been in the hands
of Governor Andros, who, like his ex-King, James II,
was a violent Catholic, and who, on the accession of the
Protestant King and Queen to the throne, was imprisoned
and sent to England. Jacob Leisler, a man of Dutch
extraction and a merchant of New York City, having many
adherents, assumed the reins of government and proclaimed
William and Mary. He was a violent opposer of Catholics,
and consequently of the Jesuit priests stationed among the
Five Nations. Lamberville and Millet who were still at
Onondaga and Oneida, had maintained a friendly correspond-
ence with Governor Dongan, who was also a Catholic, but
Leisler having no bonds of faith to attach him to them,
declared that he could peiceive that " they were laboring to
throw dust in the eyes of the Enghsh, and at the same time
forward the plans of the French." He determined to coun-
teract their influence. The Indians were already aflame with
resentment toward the French for many recent injuries,
among which was the sending of thirty-nine Iroquois prison-
ers to France for galley slaves. Thirteen of these had been
returned to Canada, the rest having died of sickness, but

58 MADISON COUNTY. "?

these thirteen were still detained in Canada. During the
summer of 1689, scouting parties on either side were scour-
ing the woods between Canada and Central New York, and
in September the Iroquois caught " five praying Indians,
who were bound hither to do mischief," and they had sent
to Albany for two or three pair of horses and five or six
men to ride the heaviest stockade of Tionondaga. Leisler,
acting under the advice of Peter Schuyler, Mayor of Albany,
established a better arrangement to attach the Indians to
the English cause. [Peter Schuyler possessed remarkable
influence with the Indians, and was a man of sound judg-
ment and great moderation.]

The new arrangement established a sworn interpreter for
the better communication between the Indians and English-
Arnout Cornelise occupied that position. Regular runners
(or posts) were kept, to transmit messages from the central
seat of the Five Nations to Albany. Jeannetie (or Lau-
rence Jeannetie, as he is sometimes called,) an Indian, was
one of the most reliable of those runners. Tasoquathe,
Caristasie, and Jurian, Mohawks, were frequently on the
path with messages. Lieut. Robert Sanders, a member of
the Albany Convention, (the highest official body in the
province,) was commander of Indian forces ; his sagacity
and knowledge of Indian character, called him to this office.
In times of unusual danger, or cases in which both English
and the Five Nations were interested, Peter Schuyler con-
ducted councils with the Indians at Albany.

Late in the year 1689, a party of Iroquois saw three of
those thirteen prisoners who had been returned from France
to Canada, and they made an appeal for them to beset free;
also two letters from Canada to the priest at Oneida had
fallen into the hands of some of the Indians. These, with
the news concerning the prisoners, were sent to Albany by
five embassadors, chiefs of the Five Nations. They called
on Arnout Cornelise on their way and obtained his inter-

INDIANS. 59

pretation of their message, in a letter, which they took to
Peter Schuyler. On the 27th of December, two days after
their arrival, a Council consisting of Mayor, Aldermen,
Commonality and Military officers of the City and County
of Albany, was called to n;ieet with these Chiefs. The let-
ters, one from Lamberville who had gone to Canada, were
not proven obnoxious, but the opportunity was seized upon
to draw up a series of articles, admonishing the Five Na-
tions to observe greater caution in their intercourse with
the common enemy, and giving timely advice upon im-
portant affairs. The articles and the decision upon the
letters, were sent by express to the Nations by the three
trusty Mohawk messengers. Arnout Cornelise accom-
panied by Robert Sanders was sent to Onondaga with all
possible speed, that especial care should be taken that the
articles be plainly stated, and also to state in the Indian's
General Council at Onondaga " that Albany is the prefixed
House to treat and speak with all sorts of people, and those
who strive to make peace or cession with the French, must
be looked upon as persons who design to make a breach in
the silver covenant chain which has so many years been
kept inviolable with the government."

The interest manifested in this arrangement won the Iro-
quois to greater fidelity. They thep made offer of furnish-
ing 1,800 men to conduct a campaign to Canada. Captain
Blew-stocking and De-gan-och-keeri, raised a command of
forty Mohawks, but \yith all their vigilance, being unaided by
the English, they did not avert the calamity which was vis-
ited upon the peaceful Dutch citizens on the Mohawk— rthe
burning of Schenectady by the French and their savage
allies on the 9th of February, 1690. This terrible massacre
was due the planning abihty of Count De Frontenac, then
Governor of New France (Canada). The ire of the Five
Nations was terribly increased by this new outrage, for they
regarded the Dutch as their brothers. The ability of the

60 MADISON COUNTY.

Jesuits to further on such designs as the French Governor
saw fit to set on foot, was evident, and many efforts were
made to induce the Iroquois to give them up to the au-
thorities, but this was not done, for there was always
among them a party of more or less influence in the
Jesuit's interest. Five French men who came to Onon-
daga and from there to Oneida, with presents to the na-
tives and bearing letters to the priests, were caught and
made prisoners, and by permission of the authorities at Al-
bany, who were immediately consulted, these prisoners
were divided among the nations, taken to Onondaga, and
there barbarously destroyed. A short time after, another
party of four French, four of their " praying Indians," (con-
verts to the Catholic faith,) came bringing two of the cap-
tive Iroquois to Onondaga, and from there sent out em-
bassadors to all the other Nations. Two of these French-
men were believed to be Father Lamberville, (the former
priest at Onondaga) and the French Captain who attacked
Schenectady. None of the nations would confer with them
till they had called some " understanding men from Al-
bany" that they might not be deceived. Peter Schuyler,
Robert Saunders, Mons. Gawsheron, Jean Rose and two
more went up to Onondaga. It is believed these French-
men were killed ; and it is inferred from documents of that
period that Father Millet was detained as a prisoner at
Oneida.

The English now fully aroused to the dangers of French
invasion, endeavored to raise forces to commence retalia-
tory measures, but so weakened was the province by the
unhappy state of her civil affairs that all efforts seemed
barren of results.

Major Fitz John Winthrop made an attempt at invasion of
Canada, with New York and New England forces, which was
a failure. An effort was also made by Capt. John Schuyler,
who with a small band of whites and Indians penetrated to

INDIANS, 6l

Fort La Prairie, near Chambly, where they had an engage-
ment, put to flight the enemy and captured some prisoners.

Soon after this, letters of commission were given to
Arnout CorneHse Veile, (the same Arnout Cornehse before
mentioned,) dated 20th September, 1690, authorizing him to
act as Indian Agent for their Majesty's Province of New
York, requiring him to reside at Onondaga, or at other
places among the Indians according to instructions. Mr.
Gerrit Luycass, who had been at Onondaga a few weeks,
was appointed assistant to Arnout Cornelise Viele, to con-
tribute in carrying out all lawful instructions from Albany.

The change in the civil affairs of New York, the deposi-
tion and execution of Jacob Leisler, and the short rule of
Governor Sloughter, did not materially affect the state of
Indian affairs. Major Peter Schuyler, the person best
fitted for the place, had command of the forces against the
French, which consisted of three hundred Mohawks and
River Indians, joined by one hundred and thirty "Christ-
ians " [white men i*] who, on their way were to be added to
by five hundred Senecas. By this force were the French
annoyed and held in check.

To the year 1696 this state of petty warfare was con-
tinued, and the warlike blood of all parties concerned was
wrought up to fever heat. Count Frontenac the most able
and enterprising governor the French had had over their
possessions in America, was still in command of New
France. With a determined spirit, though at the advanced
age of seventy-four years, he planned a decisive blow to the
English interests among the Ircquois. In August, 1696,
heading his command in person, he made a descent upon
the central power of these Confederates. He found the
village of Onondaga destroyed by the natives to prevent
its falling into his hands, but his soldiery destroyed the
luxuriant fields of corn around it. Oneida, which now had
no Jesuit priest to serve as a hostage. Father Millet having

62 MADISON COUNTY,

been re-called to Canada, was invaded, destroyed, and
thirty-five of their principal men among whom were their
head Chiefs, were made prisoners and carried to Canada.
The devastation and ruin which marked this invasion,
caused many of the Five Nations to flee in consternation to
• Albany for protection and relief. Winter was approaching
and no corn was left to meet their necessities ; neither
dwellings to house them, though the latter they could
provide. Governor Fletcher was then in command of New
York. He called a council in which the English evinced
their sympathy by enacting measures calculated to establish
their friendship, producing the opposite tendency desired by
Frontenac ; for they immediately built up their villages.
The corn, implements, and utensils destroyed, were more
than supplied by the government, added to by an outfit of
clothing, so that although discouraged for, a season, recu-
peration was rapid.

In 1698, a treaty of peace was made between New
France and the Iroquois, which was made more permanent
by the treaty of 1700 between, the French and English, in
which each nation were bound to certain restrictions ; an
important one being that the subjects of the two crowns
should not intrench upon each other's lands, till their Hmits
and boundaries were decided by the proper commissioners
appointed for that purpose. The Indians had now learned
that victory to either French or English could confer no
benefits on themselves, and so they carefully avoided enter-
ing into their difficulties.

They also resolved upon some measures to protect their
own interests, and in 1701, they "delineated upon paper in
the most precise manner, the limits of what they called their
hunting grounds, comprehending the great Lakes of
Ontario and Erie, and all the circumjacent land for the dis-
tance of sixty miles around them. The sole and absolute
property of this country they desired might be secured to

INDIANS. 63

them ; and as a proof of perpetual alliance and to support
our rights* against any claims which the French might
make, founded on the vague and uncertain pretence of
unlimited grants, or accidental local discovery, they declared
themselves willing to yield to Great Britain the sovereignty
and absolute dominion of it, to be secured and protected by
forts, to be erected whenever it should be thought proper."

A treaty was accordingly then entered into and con-
cluded by Mr. Nanfan, then Lieutenant Governor of New
York, and a deed of surrender of the lands was executed by
the Iroquois, on the conditions as above stated.

The boundary between the English and French had not
yet been definitely settled upon, and the foregoing treaty
was not strictly observed by the English. Disgusted and
dissatisfied, many Indians joined the French in the war
which followed. The French got possession of the country
to the westward by erecting forts and military establish-
ments. The treaty of Utrecht in 1713, compelled them,
however, to acknowledge British sovereignty over the Iro-
quois.

There are no records of the wars of the Iroquois with other
nations of their own race, only so far as the civilized nations
were interested, or participated therein. It was known, how-
ever, that the Confederacy warred with the southern, western,
and northwestern tribes, in times when they were at peace
with their white neighbors ; and it -was counted no unusual
circumstance for them to start on the war path for the
Ohio or Kentucky rivers, or to the country of Virginia, the
Carolinas, or Georgia. In these journeyings they had come
across the Tuscaroras, who dwelt upon the Neuse River in
North Carolina, a large and powerful nation who had " fifteen
towns, and could count twelve hundred warriors." These
became attached to the Iroquois and took sides with them
against the Cherokees, Creeks and Catawbas, with whom

*Rights of the English. See Doc. History N. Y. S., Vol. II, page 778.

64 MADISON COUNTY.

they warred. It is believed that this union of the Tiisca-
roras with the Iroquois came about by a similarity in the
language of each, which induced them to believe the Tus-
caroras to be a portion of their own nation.

In 171 1 the Tuscaroras had become dissatisfied with en-
croachments upon their lands, by the colonists of North
Carolina, who even went so far as to parcel the land to
emigrants as their own heritage. Exasperated, the Tus-
caroras retaliated by seizing one Lawson, Surveyor-General
of the State of Carolina, and after a brief trial put him to
death. Becoming alarmed they hoped to escape punish-
ment by putting to death all the white settlers sputh of
Albemiarle Sound. Dividing into small parties they com-
menced their horrid purpose, and on the 22nd day of Sep-
tember, 171 1, one hundred and thirty persons fell victims to
the sacrifice.

Col. Barnwell of South Carolina, with a small party of
whites, and a considerable body of Catawbas, Creeks and
Cherokees who had long standing revenges to satisfy, set
out against them. After killing fifty Tuscaroras, and taking
250 prisoners, they came upon one of their forts on the
Neuse River, where were enclosed 600 of the enemy.
Barnwell concluded a treaty of peace with them, to which the
Tuscaroras paid no attention, and renewed hostilities in a few
days alter. South Carolina, appealed to for assistance the
second time, now sent out Col. Moore with 40 whites and
800 Indians, in the month of December. After a fatiguing
march they came upon the Tuscaroras who had fortified
themselves on the Taw River, about fifty miles from its
mouth. A short engagement and Col. Moore entered their
works, and 800 Tuscaroras became his prisoners. These
were claimed by his Indians as a reward for their services,
and were taken to South Carolina where they were sold for
slaves. The remnant of the Tuscaroras, broken in spirit,
were driven from their homes ; to the northward they trav-

INDIANS. 65

eled till they reached the Iroquois. No written record tells
us of the Grand Council held on their reception ; of their
formal adoption into the Great Confederacy, giving them
the title thereafter of the Sixth Nation ; of the considerate
and paternal manner in which the Iroquois relieved their
immediate necessities, and home and country assigned them.
This powerful race of 1200 warriors were reduced to less
than two hundred, and in sympathy for their weakened and
effeminated condition, their home was made among the re-
tired precincts of the Oneidas, at their ancient abiding place
among the hills of Stockbridge, and at their quiet retreat at
Canaseraga, south of Oneida Lake. All the privileges of
the Confederacy were accorded them ; they were called the
*' Younger Brothers." They sat in the councils equal in
honor with the greatest, and their voice was listened to with
equal respect.

In following the course of events, it is found that the ad-
vent of the Tuscaroras was one of the remarkable epochs
in their history, and the most considerable event of the
first quarter of the eighteenth century. Slowly advancing
upon them, however, were changes which were destined to
deeply affect their nationahty.

That which distiitbed the Nations most, during this
period, was the approach of white settlements here and
there in close proximity to their borders. Although in the
treaty of 171 3, France agreed to "never molest the Five
Nations subject to the dominion of Great Britain," yet the
question of boundary was still unsettled, and the Iroquois
saw them re-build the fort at Niagara, and increase their
strength at the trading post at Detroit, and saw projects on
foot for a continuous line of forts from Quebec to the Gulf
of Mexico.

Governor Burnet of New York, coming upon the stage
of action during this time, exhibited greater zeal for His
Majesty's Indian interests, than his immediate predecessors

£

66 MADISON COUNTY.

had done. By his assiduity he won the Indians who had
strayed into the French interests, back to renew the ancient
covenant chain. The agreement of 1701 was confirrned by
a treaty in 1726, concluded upon the same terms, and a new
deed reciting the former was executed. To counteract the
French ascendancy which overawed the northern and
western Indian > frontier, Burnet energetically proceeded to
the building of forts. He erected the fort at Oswego
almost wholly at his private expense. His report exhibits
his energy in the matter, and at the same time gives the
reader a good idea of the mode of transportation of that
day. His posse of workmen were sent up to Oswego by
way of Mohawk River, Oneida Lake and Oswego River,
and were accompanied by a detachment of sixty soldiers to
protect them. His report states that he had been obliged
to lay out three hundred pounds provided by Assembly,
and more than double that amount on his own credit, " to
furnish necessaries and provisions and hire workmen, and
make batteaux to carry the men, for it is all water carriage
from our outermost town called Schenectady to this place,
[Oswego] which is about two hundred miles, except five
miles where they must draw their batteaux over land, [Wood
Creek carrying place,] which is easily enough done, and this
makes our communication much more convenient than by
land."

The building of this fort on land to which the French
now as usual laid claim, was the inciting cause for further
disturbances which finally culminated in the war of 1742,
and which was confined chiefly to the northern borders of
this State. The Iroquois as a people remained true to
their allegiance to the English, and did not, (except in
individual instances,) violate their laws of neutrality. On
the other hand, among the French a Jesuit priest brought
into their ranks a force of Indians whom he had attached
to himself. This champion of the rights of the French,
Father Francois Picquet, was established at the Lake of

INDIANS.

67

the Two Mountains in 1733, and was one of the first to
foresee this war, and prepared for it a long time before
hand. He undoubtedly assisted in bringing it about. He
evidently got great glory to the arms of France and added
largely to the consequence and pomp of his Mission.*

After the ruins of carnage had smouldered in a deceitful
peace of but few years duration, the war commencing
with the year 1754, broke out with greater and more
destructive violence, involving a wide section of country in
its turmoils. The period was approaching when the destiny
of the contestants was to be decided. The matter of
supremacy of either of the two powers, English or French,
on this continent, hung on the issue of the fortunes of this
war.

This remarkable epoch in the state of our country,
developed the men for the American Revolution. England,
in compelling her American subjects to fight her battles
for her, was unconscious that she was training them
worthily and well, to become her most successful foes ;
that in thus getting glory to her arms, should be the means,
ultimately, of bringing glory to them and defeat to her.
Washington, on the western frontier of Virginia, fighting
the French and Indians, grew into early distinction. Gen-
eral Gage earned a fine military reputation during this
period, and General Philip Schuyler became conspicuous.!

Sir William Johnson, who, had he lived in the time of
the Revolution, might have restained his violently loyalist
family, even if he had chosen to remain true to the King,
was one of the most remarkable men of the period of which

*The attractions of the Jesuit faith which had so long been an influence among
the Iroquois, drew off many to the Mission. Several parties went there to live.
whom M. Picquet used as a means to ferment the leaven of distrust and jealousy
of the English.

f Putnam was at Tjconderoga, one of the bravest; Morgan was at Braddock's
defeat, and Stark, afterwards the hero of Bennington, was a Captain of Rangers
In this war.

68 MADISON COUNTY.

we now write. Among the Indians he was a power over-
shadowing the combined influence of all the French diplo-
mats, including the insinuating rivalry of Father Francois
Picquet.

Gens. Bradstreet, Johnson, Wolf, Amherst, Shirley, Stan-
wix, Colonel Mercer and many other brave men, gave luster
to England's glory, while Generals Dieskau, Montcalm
and Du Quesne, with signal renown long upheld their
country's banner, and parried the impending doom of
French dominion. The battles of Saratoga, Lake Cham-
plain, Crown Point, the Cascades, Ticonderoga, Oswego
and those on the Mohawk River, attest to the skill, daring
and bravery of these men. However, the mind is filled with
horror when the scenes of carnage are recalled, for the
savages attached to these armies, particularly those under
command of Father Francois Picquet, incited by intoxica-
ting liquors, committed barbarities which even their com-
mander could not restrain. Father Picquet distinguished
himself and won the compliment from Du Quesne, as one
who " was worth more than ten regiments."

Sir William Johnson in addition to being Indian Agent,
was Major General of the Indian forces in the British
interest, and had also a command of Englishmen. Under
his generalship was fought the celebrated battle of Lake
George, in September, 1755. His body of Indians was
under command of Hendrick the celebrated Mohawk Chief-
tain, who was at that time between sixty and sixty-five
years of age. This brave old hero of the Mohawks fell in
this battle, and the English lost the gallant Col. Williams.
The French were defeated, their General, Baron Dieskau,
wounded and made prisoner, and on the English side Gen.
Johnson was wounded.

Montcalm succeeding Dieskau, skillfully cut his way
through in a path of conquest, gaining command of Lake
Champlain, Lake George, confirming the French power

INDIANS. 69

over the Western Lakes and the valley of the Mississippi.
" Their occupation of Fort Du Quesne enabled them to
cultivate the friendship, and continue their influence over
the Indians west of the Alleghanies. Their line of com-
munication reached from Canada to Louisana, and they
were masters of the vast territory that spread out beyond
it." Sir William Johnson's power over the Iroquois, alone,
deterred them from immediate possession of a large portion
of New York. From statements made in a report of that
time, the following plan was arranged to secure possession
of the Iroquois country. " The French had assembled in
the neighborhood of Cadaraqui and Swegatchie about eight
hundred Indians, Ottawas and other nations, and were pre-
paring to march two thousand men to Oswego Falls, there
build a strong fort to prevent provisions or reinforcements
from going to Oswego. That another party were to march
the new road from Swegatchie and build a fort at the west
end of Oneida Lake. When these posts were secured a
third party were to make a descent upon the German Flats,
destroy the magazines there, cut off the garrison and in-
habitants, and burn the settlements ; a fourth party were to
attack Sir Wm. Johnson's house, kill or take him, and rav-
age the settlements on that part of the Mohawk River."
This plan was pretty successfully inaugurated, for in August
of 1756, the French under Montcalm, invested and cap-
tured Fort Oswego. Sir Wm. Johnson's report imme-
diately after states, that " the French had very politically
possessed themselves of important passes ; [in the Iroquois
country,] * * * t^g Indians have not reach enough
to foresee the consequences of the valuable morsels the
French have pitched upon." The French, after having se-
cured these points, " sent word to the Onondaga Indians
that they had now drove the English from their lands, and
would not like them keep possession, but leave them free to
them and their posterity forever. The French, in fact, did
not want that place, so made their policy appear virtue to

70 MADISON COUNTY,

the Indians, and the plausibihty of it will doubtless influ-
ence them in their favor."

The Iroquois Confederacy at this period was a great
power, which knew its own influence to be of immense im-
portance to the contending powers. Measures were on foot
to enlarge their Confederacy by bringing in the western In-
dians. Sir Wm. Johnson strongly recommended this policy,
believing that would secure all the power of the Indians of
the northern part of the Continent to the British interest.
Pontiac, the Great Chief of all the Ottawas, defeated this
measure, and gave his strength to the cause of the French ;
and the anticipated peace to follow around the borders of
the Lakes was not realized. The Indians, believing that the
Great Spirit helps the successful and turns His face
from those whom He designs shall be defeated, became waver-
ing in their faith in the English. This was especially notice-
able among the western tribes where Sir William Johnson's
presence was not frequent. Considerable numbers of the
Senecas went over to the French ; the Cayugas and Onon-
dagas took a neutral stand ; and, says Sir William, "tis
probable our destroying the works at, and abandoning the
Oneida Carrying place last summer, [1756,] may produce a
neutrality of the Oneidas and Tuscaroras."

In 1757, a descent was made into the Mohawk valley by
M. De Belletre, and the massacre of the German Flats was
committed, — a deplorable circumstance, which still further
affected the confidence of the Iroquois, and only for the
prompt attention of Sir William, the Oneidas would have
been led into the snare of the French who were now rejoic-
ing in the fullness of unequaled success. These calamitous
events produced a feeling of gloom and despondency
throughout the colonies, and the season which was nearly
passed, put an end to all further operations.

The supremacy of the French on this continent was now
at its zenith ; henchforward, all change tended to decline

INDIANS. 71

and dispossession. The year 1758 was destined to effect
this change in the fortunes of the contending powers, and
the victors were to become the vanquished. Flushed with
success, the French were not prepared for the tide which
at length set against them.

Inspired by wise counsels the English Government re-
organized its army. Incompetent commanders were recalled,
and men of military genius and wisdom were placed in their
stead. The expeditions moved forward with new spirit
and success from the first. Fort Frontenac, after a battle,
fell into the hands of Colonel Bradstreet. Fort Du Ouesne,
on the approach of the English army, was deserted by the
French, whose power over the Indians of the Ohio
and Alleghanies, suddenly waned. Although the attempts
to take Crown Point and Ticonderoga were defeated, yet
these were relinquished and the English gained easy pos-
session. The next year, 1759, the 25th day of July, Fort
Niagara was taken. On the death of Gen. Prideaux at this
battle, the command devolved upon Sir William Johnson,
of whom it was remarked in a letter written from the scene
of action, " Sir William Johnson has gained immorta'
honors in this affair. The army have the highest opinion
of him, and the Indians adore him, [there were six hundred
Indians with him at this battle,] as his conduct has been
steady and judicious ; he has carried on the seige with
spirit." Subsequently it was stated, that by the assiduity
and influence of Sir William Johnson, " there were upwards
of eleven hundred Indians* convened there, who, by their
good behavior have justly gained the esteem of the whole
army. *

In the meantime General Wolf was vigorously carrying
forward his operations against General Montcalm, at Que-
bec. Upon the issue of his movements hung the fate of the
contest. The commanders on each side saw the emergency,

* Turner's Hist. Holland Purchase, page 209.

72 MADISON COUNTY.

and both with characteristic vigor, perfected their plans
which culminated in the decisive battle of Quebec, in which
both of these noble men fell, one as the " shouts of victory-
were ringing louder and louder in his failing ears," the
other with the fervent wish upon his dying lips that he
might not " live to see the surrender of Quebec," and his
country's dominions pass into the hands of another.

Although the fires of battle still smouldered and burst
forth in several places during the beginning of 1760, yet
the battle of Quebec was the decisive blow. A formidable
army under Gen. Amherst, joined by Sir William Johnson
with a thousand of the Six Nations, consolidated with Gen.
Murray at Montreal in September of that year, whose work
was to reduce the French who still held out at that post.
On the arrival of the British army, Vaudreuil, the Governor,
understanding his inability to successfully resist them,
resolved on capitulation, and the 7th of September, 1760,
Montreal, Detroit, and all places of strength in Canada,
were surrendered to the British Crown.

A treaty of peace was definitely concluded at Paris, be-
tween England and France in 1763, and the French do-
minion in America passed away, never more to molest the
inhabitants of New York, or to harass the Iroquois. The
long bloody contest was closed. Hailed with joy was the
peace which followed, only too soon to be broken by a far
different conflict.

Sir William Johnson had acted well his part in this war.
He began his work as General Agent of the English to the
Six Nations. He looked well to the condition of the na-
tions and knew them better than any other man.

November i8th, 1763, he sent to the Government the
following report of the Nations : —

" The Mohawks have one hundred and sixty men. Two
villages on the Mohawk River, with a few emigrants at
Scoharie, about sixteen miles from Fort Hunter.

INDIANS. 73

" Oneidas two hundred and fifty men ; two villages, one
twenty-five miles from Fort Stanwix, the other twelve
miles west of Oneida Lake [at Canaseraga] with emigrants
in several places toward the Susquehanna River.

" Tuscaroras one hundred and forty men ; one village six
miles from the first Oneidas [at Stockbridge] and several
others about the Susquehanna.

" Onondagas, one hundred and fifty men ; one large vil-
lage six miles from the lake of their name, [which is the
place of Congress for the Confederates,] with a smaller at
some distance.

" Cayuga, two hundred men ; one large village near the
lake of their name, with several others from thence to the
Susquehanna.

" Senecas, ten hundred and fifty men ; have several vil-
lages, beginning about fifty miles from Cayuga, from thoice
to Cbennessio, the largest about 70 miles from Niagara,
with others thence to the Ohio. Of the Senecas, two vil-
lages are still in our interest. The rest have joined the
western Nations.

" Remarks. — Of the Six Nations the Mohawks and On-
ondagas and Senecas are considered the Chief and elder
branches. The Oneidas, Cayugas, and Tuscaroras are
younger ; the last mentioned Nation having many years
ago retired from the south, and were admitted into the
Confederacy with the Five Nations, the Oneidas giving
them the land and they now enjoy all the privileges with
the rest."

No wliite man had possessed such influence over the Iro-
quois as Sir Wm. Johnson. He became their Counsellor,
their Physician, their Chief and their Father. He called
many Conventions of the Nations to which almost the en-
tire Confederacy answered by their presence. We read of
a famous Convention held in September, 1753, at Onon-

74 MADISON COUNTY.

daga, in which Hendrick the Great Mohawk Chieftain, was
present, and where " Red Head," the head Chief of the On-
ondagas, answered the speech of Sir WilHam. Many times
the Indians convened at Johnson's residence on the Mo-
hawk, and there tarried many days, being generously feast-
ed by their host. One of the most remarkable of these
Congresses was held at Fort Stanwix in September and
October, 1768, which Sir William called for the purpose of
fixing the limits and determining the geographical line be-
tween the Six Nations and the English. Commissioners
from the Colony of Virginia, with the Governor of New
Jersey and of Pennsylvania, were present to assist at the
treaty. The Indians came in companies, or tribes, and en-
camped, but as all did not come on immediately, many from
a distance stopping at the towns on their way, having pri-
vate affairs and conferences to hold, the general Con-
gress was deferred till the main body had arrived. The
meeting was opened the 25th of October, when three
thousand had arrived and they still continued to come. The
numbers exceeded the provisions made by the government
for their reception and maintenance, and for more than one
month a large part of these numbers subsisted upon the
bounties provided by the host. He remarks in a letter to
Lord Hillsborough, the 23d of October, as follows : " I
was much concerned on this occasion by reason of the great
consumption of provisions, and the heavy expense attending
the maintenance of those Indians on the spot, * * *
each of whom consumes daily more than two ordinary men
and would be extremely dissatisfied if stinted when con-
vened for business. * * * This circumstance alone was
very disagreeable from the difficulty of getting provisions,
there being none nearer than Albany, and very Httle there
except some cattle at an extravagant price."

From all points of the compass the tribes came in ; the
Delawares and Shawnees from the South, bringing with

INDIANS. 75

them on their way the tribes from Oquago (members of the
Oneida family) ; the trails of the Susquehanna, the Unadilla
and Chenango, swarmed with hosts of red men. From the
east the Mohawks and other eastern tribes came in ; from
the rivers of the west came up fleets of canoes over Lake
Oneida ; the trails of northern Madison County were worn
deeper by the long defile of Oneidas and Tuscaroras, joined
by their comrades of the south and west ; and Oswegat-
chie sent down her Catholic Iroquois.

This grand council was to decide an old and oft-repeated
cause of contention and jealousy, viz : the encroachments
of white settlers on their lands. The whole matter was
raked up from the beginning. The Iroquois had first
peaceably suffered the white race to settle on much of their
land on the Mohawk and east of the Susquehanna; but
they did not relish the wholesale covetousness, with which
they appropriated and added to that already given them.
The jealousy of the Indians was quite aroused in this respect
before the close of the seventeenth century. At a council
called at Albany by the Colonial Governor, Dongan, in 1683,
the Sachems were questioned so closely and carefully as to
the situation of the lands of the Susquehanna River, that
they demanded wherefore such particular information was
sought. Upon being asked if they were willing that white
people should settle there, they signified their assent. But
it appears that the proprietors of Pennsylvania had been
disposed to count the lands of the Susquehanna, howsoever
far they might extend to the north, as a part of the Penn-
sylvania purchase, and the Five Nations did not so regard
it. In order to secure themselves from encroachments by
Pennsylvania, they, in a treaty in 1684, put themselves and
their lands under the protection of the Duke of York. In
1686 the Governor of New York gave seals to the Indians,
with instructions to seize any man found trading or hunting
on the Susquehanna lands without the Governor's s^al or

76 MADISON COUNTY.

pass, and to deliver him to Albany to be punished accord-
ing to law. With decision characteristic of the race, those
seals were promptly returned to the Governor with these
words : " A man whose goods is taken from him will de-
fend himself, which will create trouble or war j * * *
therefore, we deliver the seals to your Honor again, that
we may live wholly in peace."

Watchful lest they should be made the victims of du-
plicity, they had detected in this movement a plan to use
them against the Pennsylvanians, ostensibly for their own
security, but really to establish the dominion of the pro-
vince of New York. In the treaty of 1701, again renewed
and ratified in 1726, the Iroquois had learned better how to
arrange diplomatic treaties with the long-headed British.
The limits of their hunting grounds comprehending the
large lakes and sixty miles around them, were tolerably clear
in their deed, and yet there was sufficient margin for
difficulties. Grasping, avaricious individuals who had ob-
tained grants on the borders of the Indian country, took ad-
vantage, in the absence of surveyed lines, to enlarge upon
their borders to an unlimited extent. The bounds of many
grants having no survey, were expressed by the Indian
names of brooks, rivulets, hills, ponds, falls of water, &c.,
and stated in an uncertain manner. The fact that these
Indian names were not real local names, only the general
names signifying, broad brook, a small brook, a high hill,
&c., and which were appKed to many other places, gave op-
portunity for the possessor, with his deed bearing the license
of those words, " Be it more or less," to explain and enlarge
those grants according to his inclination ; and also to lo-
cate them, as Golden says, " in what place or part of the
country they please, of which I can give some particular in-
stances where the claims of some have increased many
miles in a few years." At a public meeting with Sir Wm.
Johnson, in 1755, one of the Chiefs in a speech, said:

INDIANS. 'J'J

" Brothers, you desire us to unite and live together, and
draw all our allies near us, but we shall have no land left
either for ourselves or them, for your people when they buy
a small piece of us, by stealing they make it large. We de-
sire such things may not be done, that your people may not
be suffered to buy any more of our lands. Sometimes its
bought of two men who are not the proper owners of it
The land which reaches down from Oswego to Wyoming
we beg may not be settled by Christians. The Governor
of Pennsylvania bought a whole tract and only paid for half,
and desire you will let him know that we will not part with
the other half, but keep it. These things makes us con-
stantly uneasy in our minds, and we desire that you will
take care that we may keep our land for ourselves."

Sir William Johnson from the time cf his arrival among
the Indians, sought to correct this deplorable state of aftairs
and eradicate the evils arising therefrom. For that purpose
he held those frequent councils, and patiently listening to
their grievances, carefully probed the matter to the bottom,
and wisely arranged the plans for its settlement. He had
been in separate conference with the Nations at their own
castles during the year 1767, and knew well their mind as
to where a satisfactory boundary line could be drawn. He
states in a letter to General Gage, dated October 2 2d,
I j^"], that he had been absent three weeks at Oneida Lake,
to confer with them and settle the difficulties regarding the
encroachment of irontier settlements. The Indians after
detaihng their many grievances, said they had received
" a belt from an officer on the Mississippi, with a message
to inform them that they need not longer be trifled with by
the English, for that he [meaning the Government to which
he belonged, Spain,] having sat down quietly for some time
and being about to rise up, luckily discovered his ax beside
him, and found that it was as sharp as ever, therefore
exhorted them to take up theirs likewise."

yS MADISON COUNTY.

In the Grand Council at Fort Stanwix in 1768, above
mentioned, the "Line of Property" was to be settled ; the
boundary between the whites and Indians to be located and
decided upon, before any reasonable measures could be
adopted. Johnson found it necessary to use his utmost
influence to divest their minds of the ill feeling stirred up
by the Spanish, and to dispossess them of the hopes incited
thereby. He also iound it very difficult to locate the
boundary line as far to the westward as it seemed necessary,
"as many of them were for closing it by running it to the
next patented lands, which would have limited the province
of New York in such a manner as must have produced
some complaints." However, he accomplished the treaty of
the "Boundary Line," having it located at the place where
he intended it should be, which reserved to the Indians all
the western part of the State, the eastern boundary running
from the Pennsylvania line northward up the Susquehanna
River to the Unadilla, thence across the country to Canada
Creek where it empties into wood Creek, (which last men-
tioned water falls into Oneida Lake,) and from there to a
point indefinitely stated as at the northward of Oswego.

The settlement of this boundary line was a measure of
utmost importance toward the settlement of the country, and
the inhabitants realizing a degree of security, dared once
more take up their abode on the frontier.

But the Iroquois were ill at ease. They no longer had
the French to disturb them, and they now began to listen
to the persuasions of the Spanish, who, on the Mississippi,
were fermenting difficulties with the western Indians. Brit-
ain and Spain were at war, and it became the interest of
the Spanish to enlist the savages to conquer the American
dominions for them. Sir William Johnson, the faithful
friend of the Iroquois and the bond of union between them
and the British Nation, everywhere made himself conspicu-
ous among them. In travelins: through their towns he

INDIANS. 79

found them destitute and suffering for food, from a failure
of the corn crop in 1769. Immediately he went home and
forwarded them a supply. They poured into his ears many
complaints, to which he says : " It may not be amiss here
to remark that when Indians are disposed to quarrel, they
collect all the material they can as grounds for their con-
duct, and often insist on grievances which have in reality
given them little concern ; the true cause is often misrepre-
sented, and therefore the proper remedy is wanting."

The true cause was a desire on the part of many to unite
with the western Indians, who, under Spanish instigation
were anxious for this consummation. To effect this
alliance, they held a great Council of the Northern and
Southern Confederacies on the plains of the Sciota in 1770.
Sir William apprehended the meaning of this congress, and
through his influence and the natural aversion of some of
the Six Nations to the Southern Indians, it was not con-
summated.

The difficulties between the American Colonists and the
mother country were now fomenting, which could not fail to
stir up the Iroquois. Sir William Johnson saw the porten-
tious clouds with deep anxiety. He could not avert the im-
pending conflict. He had received too many favors from
the mother country to willingly turn his back upon her.
To the day of his death, he interested himself solely with
the interests of the Indians, taking no part in the increasing
embroils.

SIR WILLIAM JOHNSON.

Of a personage so remarkable as Sir William Johnson,
something more than a passing notice should be given, as
he passes off from the stage of action and out of this period
of history. From " Turner's History," the following is
transferred :

"The year 1740, is signalized by the advent upon the
Mohawk, of one who was destined to exercise an important

80 MADISON COUNTY.

influence, and occupy a conspicuous place in our Colonial
history. Sir William Johnson was a native of Ireland.
He left his native country in consequence of the unfavorable
issue of a love affair. His uncle, Sir Peter Warren, an
Admiral in the English navy, owned by government grant
a large tract of land — fifteen thousand acres — within the
present town of Florida, Montgomery county. Young
Johnson became his agent, and located himself in the year
above named at Warren's Bush, a few miles from the pres-
ent village of Port Jackson. He now began that intercourse
with the Indians, which was to prove so beneficial to the
English in the last French war that soon followed, the in-
fluences of which were to be so prejudicial to the colonial
interests, in the war of the Revolution. He made himself
familiar with their language, spoke it with ease and fluency,
watched their habits and peculiarities ; studied their man-
ners, and by his mildness and prudence, gained their favor
and confidence, and an unrivalled ascendancy over them.
In all important matters he was generally consulted by
them, and his advice followed. In 1755 he was entrusted
with a command in the provincial service of New York.
He marched against Crown Point, and after the repulse of
Col. Williams, he defeated and took Dieskau prisoner. For
this service the Parliament voted him five thousand pounds
and the King made him a Baronet. The reader will have
noticed his eftective agency in keeping the Six Nations in
the English interests, and his military achievements at
Niagara.

" From the following notice, which appeared in a contem-
porary publication — the London Gentleman's Magazine,
for September, 1755 — it will be seen how well adapted he
was to the peculiar offices and agencies that devolved upon
him. It is an extract from a journal written in this country :

•' Major General Johnson (an Irish gentleman,) is univer-
sally esteemed in our parts, for the part he sustains.

INDIANS. 8 1

Besides his skill and experience as an ofificer, he is particu-
larly happy in making himself beloved by all sorts of peo-
ple, and can conform to all companies and conversations.
He is very much of the fine gentleman in genteel company.
But as the inhabitants next him are mostly Dutch, he sits
down with them and smokes his tobacco, drinks flip, and
talks of improvements, bear and beaver skins. Being sur-
rounded with Indians, he speaks several of their languages
well, and has always some of them with him. His house is
a hospitable retreat for them from the enemy. He takes
care of their wives and children when they go out on parties,
and even wears their dress. In short by his honest dealings
with them in trade, and his courage, which has often been
successfully tried with them, and his courteous behavior, he
has so endeared himself to them, that they chose him one
of their Chief Sachems or princes, and esteem him as their
common father."

" Miss Eleanor Wallaslous, a fair and comely Dutch
girl, who had been sold to limited service in New York, to
pay her passage across the ocean, to one of his neighbors,
soon supplied the place of the fair one in Ireland whose
fickleness had been the means of impelling him to new
scenes and associations in the backwoods of America.
Although taking her to his bed and board, and for a long
period acknowledging her as his wife, he never married her
until she was upon her death bed, a measure necessary to
legitimatize his three children, who afterwards became Sir
John Johnson, Mrs. Guy Johnson and Mrs. Colonel Claus.
His next wife was Molly Brant, sister of the conspicuous
Chieftain of that name. He was married to her a few
years before his death, for the same purpose that was con-
summated in the previous instance.

" Colden says of Sir William, that ' he dressed himself
after the Indian manner, made frequent dances after their
customs when they excite war, and used all the means he

F

Si MADISON COUNTY.

could think of, at a considerable expense, to engage-them in
a war against Canada.' "

Sir William Johnson's courtly demeanor and oratorical
powers, v/on the admiration of the Indians, and his familiar-
ity, their love and confidence. His quick perceptions and
ingenious management made him famous among a race who
prided themselves on their cunning. The following anec-
dote illustrates the manner in which he outwitted the
celebrated Mohawk Chief Hendrick, who was at his house
when he received several suits of rich lace clothes. A
short time after, the Chief came to him and said, " I dream."
•' Well, what did you dream ? " " I dream you give me one
suit of clothes." This hint. Sir William could not well
avoid and accordingly gave him a suit. Some time after,
meeting Hendrick, Sir William said to him, " I dreamed
last night." " Did you ! What did you dream ?" " I
dreamed you gave me a tract of land;" at the same time de-
scribing a tract lying in the present county of Herkimer,
twelve miles square. Hendrick was at first surprised at the
enormity of the demand, but at length said, " You may
have the land ; dn^ we no dremn again, you dream too hard
for me." The title to this tract was confirmed by the King
and was called the " Royal Grant."

Extracts of portions of speeches made at a Congress of
the Nations holden at Onondaga, September 8th, 1753,
illustrates his mode of conference with them. It was the oc-
casion of the death of three renowned Chiefs, A deputa_
tion of Sachems came out a mile from the Onondaga village
to meet Col. Johnson. After entering their place of coun-
cil, the Sachem, Red Head, rose up and said :

" Brother Warraghiiyagey [Johnson's Indian name] : —

As you enter our meeting place with
wet eyes and sorrowful heart in conjunction with our
Brethren the Mohawks, we do with this string of Wampum
wipe away your tears and assuage your grief that you may

INDIANS.

83

speak freely in this assembly." Here they gave a string of
wampum. Sir William Johnson replies :

" Brethren of the Six Nations : —

The great concern I am under
for the loss of our three great and beloved brothers, Cagh-
niagasota, Onughsadego and Gahusquerowana, who in their
time made your assembly complete, makes it incumbent
upon me to condole their death, and as it is a great loss to
us in general, I do by these three belts of wampum dry up
your tears that we may see each other, clear your throats
that we may speak together, and wash away their blood out
of our sight, and cover their bones with these strowd
blankets." Here he gave three belts of wampum and three
blankets of strowds.

Sir William was desirous that the gospel should be taught
the natives, and his request to the Home government that
every Castle, especially where there is a garrison, be pro-
vided with a rninister of the gospel, was frequently and ur-
gently repeated. He asked especially that Onondaga and
Oneida be thus supplied, reminding his government of the
French, who, through their priests had accomplished so
much. He also deprecated the sale of intoxicating liquors,
and called for its suppression among the natives. If the
government had as faithfully attended to his reasonable re-
quests, as he carried out all orders entrusted to him, it
would have been the better for all parties concerned.

Sir William Johnson died on the 24th of June, 1774. A
council with the Indians was in progress at the time, which
was concluded by Guy Johnson, after his decease.

Johnson had for nearly thirty-five years exercised an
almost one man power, not only in his own immediate do-
main, but far beyond. A contemporary says : " In his
character were blended many sterling virtues, with vices
that are perhaps to be attributed in a greater degree to the
freedom of backwood's life, — the absence of restraints which
the ordinances of civilization imposes, — than to radical
defects. His talents, it must be inferred, were of a high

84 MADISON COUNTY.

order ; his achievements at Niagara alone, would entitle him
to the character of a brave and skillful military commander ;
and in the absence of amiable social qualities, he could
hardly have gained so strong a hold upon the confidence
and respect of the Six Nations, as we see he maintained up
to the period of his death."

In regard to the momentous struggle pending, it has been
inferred that his purpose was wavering. He undoubtedly
would have gladly avoided any participation therein. As
the storm of civil discord was gathering he declared to sev-
eral of his friends, that " England and her colonies were
approaching a terrible war, but that he should never live to
witness it'.' During the court, in session at the time of his
death, he received a package of a political nature from Eng-
land. He left the court house, being unwell when he
received it, went to his house, took to his bed and in a few
hours died.

His son, Sir John Johnson, succeeded to his titles and
estates. His son-in-law. Col. Guy Johnson, who had long
been his assistant and deputy, received the authority of
General Superintendent of Indian affairs ; in this he was
assisted by another son-in-law. Col. Dan Claus. These
were none of them Sir William's equals in talent, and had
not many of the good qualities he possessed. They used
the power he transmitted to them, in a manner, we are justi-
fied in inferring, it would not have been used had he lived to
exercise it.

In 1756, the Six Nations were estimated at twelve
hundred warriors, or six thousand souls ; in 1760, at seven
thousand five hundred ; in 1763, Sir Wm. Johnson took the
Indian census, from the northwestern, northern and Hudson
River Indians to the Mississippi. He stated that the
Oneida warriors were two hundred and fifty, the Tuscaroras
one hundred and forty, while he estimates that there were

INDIANS. 85

in the Six Nations seven thousand seven hundred and fifty
souls.

The Revolutionary war broke out. The Johnsons used
their great influence to interest the natives in the cause of
the British. They were at length aroused by inflammatory
appeals, and a large part of the warriors of the Nations,
excepting the Oneidas and Tuscaroras, engaged in the
sanguinary conflict. By 1777, they were fairly engaged
with the British in a series of massacres, which startled the
whole country by its terrible bloody details. The retalia-
tion was given in 1779 by the incursion of Gen. Sullivan and
his army, which devastated their homes through all their
borders, leaving only the neutral Oneidas unharmed. This
was the most terrible disaster that had ever befallen the
Confederacy. With the defeat of the English the power of
the Iroquois was destroyed, and their unity and strength
broken. They had involved their homes and forfeited them
with their defeat. They, however, still maintain their
Castles, and each nation, isolated, surrounded by the white
race, still preserve their ancient traditions and customs^
though greatly modified by Christianity and schools.

ONEIDAS.

The most ancient knowledge we have of the Oneidas is
also derived from tradition. David Cusick particular-
izes the planting of the Oneidas, at the time when the Great
Leader was establishing the families.

After planting the Mohawks, the company journeyed
westward two days and a half and came to a creek called
Kaw-na-taw-ta-ruh (i. e. Pine Woods Creek.) This creek,
according to Cusick, " had its head in Col. Allen's* Lake
about ten miles south of Oneida Castle, and is a branch of
the Susquehanna." The Indians usually spoke of the differ-
ent branches of that river, viz., the Chenango, Unadilla,
&c., as the " Susquehanna branches ;" this was the Che-

*Leland's.

86 MADISON COUNTY.

nango branch. " The second family were directed to take
up their residence near that creek, and they were named
Ne-haw-ve-tah-go, meaning " Big Tree," and their language
was slightly changed."

Another tradition of the Oneidas, says, that they in all
their wanderings were followed by a remarkable stone, (a
huge granite boulder,) but which finally rested upon one of
the highest hills in the country. Thus they came by the
name Oneida or O-ne-i-ta, meaning the " people of the
Stone." They looked upon this stone as a body endowed
with life and intelligence, hence the word Oneita, in their
dialect, from " OneV meaning " stone " and "■ ta" signifying
"life" or " living stone." O-ne-i-ta was accented on the
third syllable and spoken in the softest manner possible.
The stone was a symbol of their nationality, and they were
every where known by the mark of a stone set in the fork of
a tree.

Their earliest home, where the stone rested, was on one
of the highest hills in the town of Stockbridge, and the two
traditions agree as to the locality. The name given in the
latter is pronounced similar to that given by Cusick, though
differently spelled — Ca-nagh-ta-ragh-ta-ragh. It is, how-
ever, spelled in various ways. Here, in a valley, south of the
eminence where the stone rested, they settled and built
their town, and by this stone they assembled to hold their
councils and prepare for war, and here they built their
beacon fires which might be seen for a great distance by
the country round.

The most palpable proofs of the early date of their settle-
ment here, is found in the fact that a new forest has grown
up since they cultivated their corn fields, the corn hills of
which, a few years ago, were still visible upon those ancient
fields. Upon counting the concentric circles, or annular
grains formed in these, they are over three hundred years
old, showing that the Oneidas ceased to cultivate these
fields as far back as 1560, or thereabouts.

INDIANS. 87

From the earliest dates, the Oneidas were regarded by
their brethern as remarkable in eloquence, hence great in
council, and distinguished for their aptitude in cultivating
the arts, and, perhaps weaker in warfare.

When Father Simon Le Moine was sent out to the
Iroquois by the French Governor, M, De Lauzon, and
established a mission at Onondaga in 1654, he met a con-
ference of all the nations, and listened to the congratula-
tions and speeches of all the chiefs. He particularly
reports the speech which followed his own, which is the
first recorded speech of any Chief of the Oneida Nation.
It is to be regretted that Father Le Moine did not give the
Chief's name. As Father Le Moine was bearer of words
from the Governor, he was addressed as that personage.

" Onnontio " said the Chief — meaning the Governor, —
''Onnontio, thou art the pillar of the earth ; thy spirit is a
spirit of peace, and thy words soften the hearts of the
most rebellious of spirits." After other compliments, .
expressed in a tone animated by love and respect, he pro-
duced four large belts, to thank Onnontio for having
encouraged them to fight bravely against their new enemies
of the Cat Nation, and for having exhorted them never
again to war against the French. " Thy voice," said he,
^' Onnontio, is wonderful, to produce in my breast at one
time two effects entirely dissimilar ; thou animatest me to
war, and softenest my heart by thoughts of peace ; thou
art great both in peace and war, mild to those whom thou
lovest, and terrible to thine enemies. We wish thee to love
us and we will love the French for thy sake."

From the Jesuit missionary, Father Jacques Bruyas,
who was established at Oneida in 1667, we learn further of
the characteristics of the Oneidas. They were by him
regarded as more vigilant and suspicious than the other
nations. He says, the Oneidas had "always embar-
rassed affairs when they appeared to be about arranged."
At the same time he conceded them to be superior to the

S8 MADISON COUNTY,

other natives in intelligence. Undoubtedly their intracti-
bility was owing to the insight they had of the motives of
the French. They were considered by the Jesuits as an
unfavorable class for Christianizing, as will be seen by the
following extract from their Journals in 1668-9. "The
Nation of the Oneidas is about thirty leagues toward the
south and west from the Mohawks, and one hundred and
forty from Quebec ; are of all the Iroquois the least tract-
able, and the arms of the French not yet having penetrated
so far, they fear us only through the experience of their neigh-
bors, the Mohawks. This nation [Oneidas] which despises
the others in their defeat, is in a disposition contrary to the
Christian faith, and by its arrogance and pride, tries the
patience of a missionary very sorely. It was necessary
that providence should assign them a peculiar man, and
chose for them a spirit who might by his mildness, conquer
or allay their wild and fierce disposition. Father Bruyas
has been the man destined for their service, but his labors
has generally been rewarded only by rebuffs and contempt.
* * * * The number of baptized amount already to
near thirty, most of whom are already in glory."

In 1671, Father Pierre Millet was established at Oneida,
and the mission was represented as flourishing. He con-
tinued at this place, having great influence with the Oneidas
and the neighboring nations till he was recalled during the
troubles between the Iroquois and French, between the
years 1690 and '96. Father Millet and Father Lamberville
(the latter stationed at Onondaga,) had both endeavored
to conciliate the parties, in order to avert the impending
struggle, but Count Frontenac, the able French Governor,
would not longer refrain from his purpose of subjugating
the Iroquois.

The year 1696, was one forever to be remembered by the
Oneidas as well as by the whole Confederacy, for Count
Frontenac's descent upon the Iroquois was attended with
the worst consequences to them. The invaders reached

INDIANS. 89

Onondaga the 4th day of August, 1696, and found the
Indians had all fled ; their strong and admirably constructed
castle, the triple palisades which protected their fort.and their
cabins, had all been destroyed by fire. The scouts reported
having seen trails proceeding from the Onondaga village to
Cayuga and Oneida, which induced them to believe that
the women and children withdrew thither. De Frontenac
encamped and secured himself by outposts here. The
next day in the afternoon, a Frenchman who had been a
prisoner, and an Oneida, arrived from that village with a
belt of wampum in the name of that Nation, soliciting
peace. Count Frontenac immediately sent them back,
promising peace on condition of their removing to Canada,
establishing themselves and their families there, where
land would be given to them by the government. He
added, if their " wives and children were not ready, they
should bring five of their most influential Chiefs as hostages,
and they should soon be followed by the army to oblige
them by force to execute the conditions imposed on them."
The report says : —

" On the morning of the 6th of August, Mons. De Vau-
dreuil, a prominent commander in De Frontenac's army,
departed for the Oneidas with a detachment of six or seven
hundred of the most active men of the whole army, soldiers,
militia and Indians. He had under him six of the best
Captains, and picked Lieutenants and subaltern officers.
As it was necessary to use great expedition, they did not
march in exact order. M. De Vaudreuil contented himself
by throwing out scouts some quarter of a league in advance,
and on the wings between the scouts and the main body
he placed a detached corps of fifty, commanded in turn by
a Lieutenant. They arrived on the same day before sun-
down within a league of the village ; they would have
pushed even farther if the convenience of encamping on the
bank of a beautiful river [Oneida Creek,] had not invited
them to halt. They were at first dawn, in sight of the vil-
lage, and as they were about to enter the fields of Indian
corn they were met by the deputies of all that nation.

90 MADISON COUNTY,

" They requested M. De Vaudreuil to halt, fearing that
•our savages would spoil their crops, assuring that they
would execute in good faith the orders that Mons. Le
Compte had given to their first delegates.

" As Mons. De Vaudreuil determined also on his side to
obey punctually those which he had received, told them it
was useless for them to think of preserving their grain, as,
according to the word of their Father, [French Governor,]
they should not want for any when retired among us ; that
therefore he should cut all down ; that their forts and cabins
would not, either, be spared, having everything ready for
their reception.

" He found in the village but twenty-five and forty men,
almost all having fled at sight of the detachment, but the
most influential Chiefs had remained. M. De Vaudreuil
consented that two or three men should follow these fugi-
tives and try to bring them back. On entering this village,
a young French woman was found a prisoner, just arrived
from the Mohawk. She reported that that nation and the
English to the number of three hundred were preparing to
attack us. A Mohawk who had deserted from the Sault
last year, the same also who had given information of the
proposed attack against his Nation, was captured roving
around the village. He said he came there intending to
surrender himself to us, which it was pretended to believe.
An eye was kept on him notwithstanding. He confirmed
the report of the young French woman.

"Another savage, also of the same nation * * * as-
sured M. De Vaudreuil that the English and Mohawks had
indeed set out to come, * * * and that the consterna-
tion was pretty general among the one and the other.

"This last intelligence caused M. De Vaudreuil's detach-
ment as much regret as the first had given them joy. It
was received with a thousand yells of satisfaction, particu-
larly by the Abenakis, who said they had need neither of
knives nor hatchets to beat the English ; that it was idle to
waste powder on such a set,

" Mons. De Vaudreuil resolved to await them^in the wood
without shutting himself up in the fort. He left on the 9th,
[August, 1696,] between nine and ten o'clock in the morn-
ing, after having seen it burn and the corn entirely cut.
He camped the same night two leagues from Onnontague.
The celerity of his movements cannot be too much praised,

INDIANS. 91

since he occupied only three days in going, coming and
executing all he had to do, although from one village to the
other was fourteen good leagues, in the woods, with con-
tinual mountains, and a multitude of rivers and large
streams to be crossed. He was, therefore, not expected so
soon, and Mons. Le Compte [Frontenac,] was agreeably
surprised to see him return in so short a time, with thirty-
five Oneidas, among whom were, as we have said, the prin-
cipal Chiefs of the nation, and four of our French pris-
oners."

This concluded the expedition, and on the 12th, Fron-
tenac returned to Canada via Lake Ontario, with his
thirty-five captives, bearing the eternal hatred of the Indian
Nations, who harassed his army on its way, and who for
years after kept up a desultory warfare upon the French
colony at Montreal, which did not cease until the peace
treaty of 1700.

On the destruction of their villages the Indians fled to
Albany for redress. On the 29th of September, 1696, they
met Governor Benjamin Fletcher in council at Albany.
Some of the Indian delegates had arrived on the afternoon
of the Sunday previous, and in the evening had supped
with His Excellency the Governor, "with many expressions
of joy and satisfaction they had in meeting him." They
tarried several days in Albany as was their custom on such
occasions. They received as presents, to build them up
again, clothing, brass kettles, knives and other utensils, to-
gether with tobacco, rum and ammunition, besides a con-
siderable amount of provisions, amounting in all to the value
of ^660. 4s. 1 1 -id.

Before their departure they indulged in a grand flourish
of speeches. The meeting was presided over by Gov.
Fletcher. There were present Col. Nicholas Bayard,
William Pinhorne, Esq., Maj. Peter Schuyler of the Com-
mon Council, Matthew Clarkson, Secretary, and the Mayor,
Recorder and Aldermen of Albany, &c. Dackashata, a
Sachem of the Senecas, speaker, arose:

92 MADISON COUNTY,

" Brother Cayenquiragoe [The Governor] : —

We come to condole the loss you daily
receive, having daily alarms skulking parties of the enemy
doing mischief." Then laid down a belt of wampum.
" Brother Cayenquiragoe : —

I am come with the whole House to
consider what tends to the common good of the whole
House."

" Brother Cayenquiragoe : —

We come here to quicken the fire and
renew the covenant chain.

" Brother Cayenquiragoe : —
^ We recommend to all that are in the

covenant chain to be vigorous and keep it up.

" Brother Cayenquiragoe : —

When all is said, I drink to all your
healths and then I deliver you the cup.

" Brother Cayenquiragoe : —

There has been a cloud and we come
to remove it as the sun in the morning removes the dark-
ness of night.

" Brother Cayenquiragoe : —

The tree of safety and welfare planted
here, we confirm it.

" Brother Cayenquiragoe : —

As the tree is planted here and con-
firmed, so we make fast all the roots and branches of it, all
the brethren of the Five Nations, and the brethren of Vir-
ginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, the Jerseys, New York,
Connecticut and New England.

" Brother Cayenquiragoe : —

We wish we may rest in quietness un-
der that tree. We fill it with new leaves, and wish all that
are in the Covenant Chain may have the benefit to sit down
quiet under its shadow. * * *

" Brother Cayenquiragoe : —

We wish the Canoes [ships across the
ocean] may go to and again in safety, that the Great King
may know what we have here said, and that we may have
an answer. We have now made our word good ; here is
the cup." He then laid down some small bundles of leaves

INDIANS. 93

saying, " it is but small, but it is as it were, saved out of the
fire."

His Excellency stood up and said : —

" Brethren, I have heard what you
have said and have here renewed the Covenant Chain with
all the Five Nations, the Mohawks, Oneidas, Onondagoes,
Cayugas and Senecas, in behalf of the brethren of this
province, Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, the Jerseys,
Connecticut and New England, and I assure the Five Na-
tions of His Majesty's protection. I have provided you
with some victuals and drink to drink the King's health, and in
confirmation thereof, that it may last as long as the sun and
moon endures, I give this belt of wampum."

At the conclusion of this speech the principal Sachem of
the Mohawks called — " OJiee !" The whole assembly an-
swered— " Heeeece Hogh ! ! "

Other speeches followed, of the same nature as the above.
The adroit manner in which one Sachem of the Mohawks
alluded to the neglect of the English, is shown in the fol-
lowing extract :

" They [the English,] liked the chain of peace, but where
are they now ; they do not like to take part with us in the
war. They are all asleep ; they come not to our assistance
against the enemy ; their hands hang down straight ; their
arms are lame. * * * We desire you to write to the
Great King and to get us an answer against the next time
the trees become green, and let there be no delay. Let it
not be said to us the canoes are lost under water, or that
the winds have carried them to another country, or the like
excuse, but let us have the answer, against the trees grow
green, without fail, for we are in great need of it."

He then laid down a beaver skin.

This mode of conducting councils and making speeches,
so pleasing to the Indians, was adopted by Sir William
Johnson. In one of their conferences, Sir William thus
addresses the Oneidas :

" Brethren of Oneida : —

I am now to set up your stone straight,
and rub off all moss and dirt it may have contracted this

94 MADISON COUNTY.

time past. My best advice is to have your Castles as near
together as you conveniently can with the Tuscaroras, who
belong to you as children, and the Scanihaderadigroohnes
but lately come into your alliance or families, which makes
it necessary for me to fix a new string to the Cradle which
was hung up by your forefathers when they received the
Tuscaroras, as you do now the Scanihaderadighroones to
feed and protect." He then gave a belt.

He was answered by a chief of the Oneidas : —

" Brother Warraghiiyagey : —

We thank you for clearing the Oneida
stone and setting it up right, and shall, agreable to your
advice, collect our people together ; also the Tuscaroras, be
they scattered where they may, and the Scanihaderadigh-
roones who do unite with us, a small party of whom are
here present to hear you, and to take their share of our
Brother, the Governor's bounty. We also return thanks for
the new string fixed to the cradle contrived by our forefath-
ers, to receive those new brethren we intend to nourish and
provide for." They gave a string.

Throughout the State Documents there is less said of
the warlike disposition of the Oneidas than of the
other Iroquois. They were more engaged in the peace-
ful arts, and were more devoted to looking after weaker
nations, taking them under their especial care, giving them
homes, providing for their wants, &c. They thus adopted
the Tuscaroras in 1712 ; the Stockbridges came to the home
they had granted them, in 1783, and the Brothertons,
emigrated a few families at a time, and settled upon the
Oriskany Creek.

They maintained a friendly interest for the white settle-
ments, and abstained from taking part in the wars which
agitated Central New York, as much as possible.

During the French war, when Mons. De Belletre, the
French General, made an incursion into these parts and
destroyed the German Flats, (Nov., 1757,) Sir William John-
son received intelligence that the Oneidas had joined the
invaders. He immediately sent two messengers, George

INDIANS, 95

Croghan and Mr. Montour the interpreter, to learn why the
Oneidas had taken such steps. His messengers learned,
that Mons. De Belletre in his march had halted near the
Oneida town at the Lake side, from which the Indians, in
fear, had withdrawn their women and children ; that Mons. De
Belletre had so intimidated them that they had begged his
protection, and that some of the Oneidas had joined his
expedition. The messengers repaired to the German Flats
and there learned that the Chief Sachem of the Upper
Oneida Town, with a Tuscarora Chief and an Oneida
Indian, were but four miles from Fort Herkimer. They
were sent for, to give an account of themselves. They lis-
tened with apparent surprise and grief that their intentions
were so misrepresented, for they disclaimed all participation
in the massacre of German Flats. They called in several
influential Germans who were acquainted with the horrible
details of the massacre, and desired they would listen to the
story they told Sir William's messengers. The Oneida
Chief, Conaghquieson, declared that fifteen days before it
happened, they sent the Germans word that some Swegat-
chie Indians had told them that the French were deter-
mined to destroy the German Flats, and desired them to be
on their guard. " Six days after that," said the Chief, " we
had a further account from Swegatchie, that the French
were preparing to march, I then came down to the German
Flats, and in a meeting with the Germans told them what
we had heard, and desired them to collect themselves in a
body, at their fort, and secure their women and children, and
effects, and make the best defense they could ; and at the
same time told them to write what I said to their brother.
Sir William Johnson ; but they paid not the least regard, to
what I had told them, and laughed at me, slapping their
hands on their buttocks, saying they did not value the enemy;
upon which I returned home and sent oneot our people to the
lake [Oneida Lake,] to find out whether the enemy were
coming or not ; after he had staid there two days the enemy

96 MAIMSON" COUXrV.

amved at the carrying place, and sent word to the Castle at
the I-ake that they were there ; and told them what they
wore i;oini;- to do ; but charged them not to lot us at the
Upper Casie know anything of their design. As soon as the
man I sent heard this, he came on to us with the account
that night, and as soon as we recieved it we sent a belt of
Wampum to confirm the truth thereof to the Flats, which
came here the day before the enemy made their attack ; but
the people w'ould not give credit to the account even then,
or they might have saved their lives. This is the truth,
and those Germans here present know it to be so." The
aforesaid Germans did acknowlctige it to be so ; and that
they had such intelligence. This statement was certified
to by the messenger, George Croghan.

Other authorities relate, that the Indians who brought
this belt of wampum, finding the Germans still incredu-
lous, the next morning just before the attack, laid hold of
the German minister and in a manner forced him over to
the other side of the river, by which he, and some who fol-
lowed, escaped the fate of their brethren.

The Oneidas maintained a neutrality thior.ghov.: this
harassing war, holding to the interests of the English,
chiefly through their reg-ard for the white settlei-s. It is,
therefore, not to be wondered at that their hearts were w'ith
the Colonists in the Revolutionary war ; but tlie British
eiig"aged thera in the w-arfare whenever tliey could g-ain
them. After the death of Sir William Johnson, his sons
and sons-in-law% together w-ith John and Walter Butler and
Joseph Brant, filled with zeal for the British cause, exerted
their powerful influence to the utmost to win the Iroquois.
They succeeded in enlisting many of the western r.ations.
but the Oneidas w-ere not to be enticed from their allegi-
ance to their neighbors and friends. Insinuating appeals
were made, in which their Mohawk neighbors joined —
appeals to their honor, magiianimity and tlieir love of
freedom, but of no avail. Thev continued neuti-al imtil

INDIANS.

97

\hcy rf:!_,Mi(U-(l il tlu-ir imix'r.ilivo duly lo lake up anus in
(Icli-ncc of llicir fiicnds, against, the savage hordes of Jiutlcr
and Hrant.

Kov. Sanuicl Kiikland, and the groat Chief, Skenandoali,
had ever exerted a wise infhiencc for peace, but the latter
seeing; the emergency, gave his influence, in favor of the
Oneidas turning to the rescue of the Colonies.

The Oneidas rendered signal services as scouts and spies.
There is an anecdote related concerning the siege of l^'ort
.Slanvvix, in which these spies were very useful. Arnold,
with his command, was aj^proaching l'\)rt Stanwix to relieve
Col. Gansevoort. On his way he captured a notorious tory
spy, I Ian Yost Schuyler, whom he sentenced to be hung.
The friends of the tory applied to Arnold to spare his life,
I le was inexorable, but was prevailed upon by Major Brooks
lo use the tory for their advantage. The plan was, to
allow Han Yost to escape the guard house, and his life be
spared on condition that he should repair to the Indian and
tory camps, in the vicinity of Fort Stanwix, and by an ex-
aggeratetl report of Arnold's force, induce them to desert
their leader, in sufficient numbers to cause St. Leger to
raise the siege. If he failed, his brother, who liad consented
to remain as a hostage, was to " grace the same noose which
had been prepared for I Ian Yost." The commander then
communicated the plan to the sentinel, who secretly let the
tory out. The life of his brother held Han Yost true to his
pledge. An Oneida embarked in the enterprise, and fol-
lowing Han Yost at a distance, fell in with two or three
other Oneidas of his acquaintance, who readily engaged in
furthering his design. Han Yost was acquainted with
many of St. Leger's Indians, and on arriving at their camp,
told a sad story of his having been taken by the rebels and
sentenced to be hung — how he had escaped, and showed
them several bullet holes in his coat where he had been
fired upon when he fled. When asked as to the number of
men Arnold had, he shook his head mysteriously and pointed

98 MADISON COUNTY.

to the leaves of the trees ; and upon being further questioned,
he said the number could not be less than ten thousand.
This news soon spread through the camp. At this junc-
ture the Oneida arrived, and with a belt confirmed Han
Yost's statement. Presently, one after another of the Onei-
das in the secret, dropping into the camp as if by accident,
spoke of the great numbers of warriors marching against
them. They gave the Indians to understand that the
Americans did not wish to injure the Indians, but if they
continued with the British they must all share one common
fate. Alarm and consternation pervaded the whole body of
Indians and they resolved on immediate flight. Says Jones
in his Oneida History : " St. Leger used every effort to detain
them in this critical juncture, but in vain. As a last resort
he tried to get them drunk, but the dram bottle had lost
its charms and they refused to drink. After he had failed
in every attempt to induce them to remain, he tried to pur-
suade them to fall in the rear and form a covering party to
his army, but this only increased their dissatisfaction, and
they charged him with designs of sacrificing his red allies
to the safety of the whites. In a mixture of rage and des-
pair, St. Leger immediately ordered the siege to be raised,
and with his entire force of regulars, tories and Indians, he
left in such haste as to leave his tents standing, abandoning
all his artillery, and some accounts state that they left their
dinners cooking over the camp fires. The Oneida Indian
it seems had a spice of the wag in his composition, for he
followed in the rear and occasionally raised the cry, ' They
are coining ! they are coming ! ' for his own diversion in
seeing the red coats take a foot race, and the retreating
army never felt entirely safe until fairly embarked on the
Oneida Lake.

" Han Yost kept with St. Leger's army on the retreat
until it arrived at the mouth of Wood Creek, when he re-
turned to Fort Stanwix, and gave Col, Gansevoort the fir^
intelligence of the approach of Gen. Arnold's command.

INDIANS.

99

From thence he returned to Fort Dayton, and having ful-
filled his contract, his brother was at once discharged."

The Oneidas were at the battle of Oriskany, where they
lost their beloved interpreter, Thomas Spencer. They were
at the battle of Johnstown, where Col. Walter Butler fell by
the hands of an Oneida Chief, it is said. [By others it is
said to have been a Mohawk Chief who killed Butler. See
Jones' Oneida, p. 856.]

At the conclusion of the Revolutionary war, the Ameri-
can Congress appointed commissioners to hold conventions
with the Indians, who arranged amicable treaties with those
nations in regard to their rights, lands, &c. Notwithstand-
ing that most of the nations had been hostile to the United
States during the war, yet the policy of Congress was hu-
mane. The resolutions of this body respecting them, were
adopted October 15th, 1783. The following was the reso-
lution respecting the Oneidas and Tuscaroras : —

" Sixthly. — And whereas the Oneida and Tuscarora tribes
have adhered to the cause of America, and joined her armies
in the course of the late war, and Congress has frequently
assured them of peculiar marks of favor and friendship, the
said Commissioners are therefore instructed to reassure the
said tribes of the friendship of the United States, and that
they may rely that the land which they claim as their in-
heritance will be reserved for their sole use and benefit,
until they may think it for their advantage to dispose of
the same."

The Commissioners were Oliver Wolcott, Richard Butler
and Arthur Lee. A grand Council of the Six Nations was
called at Fort Stanwix in 1784, and a treaty made, by
which the Six Nations, except the Mohawks, had reserva-
tions assigned them, which established the line between this
State and the Oneidas, upon the " old line of property," as
fixed by the treaty of 1768.*

HOMES OF THE ONEIDAS.

Their earliest location, according to all statements, was at

* See page 78.

lOO MADISON COUNTY,

Stockbridge.. Maps, of the centuries past, trace a trail
from Fort Schuyler to this place, which, said maps desig-
nate with the name " Old Oneida Castle," and the trail to
our present Oneida Castle, had also a route far to the north-
ward of this. The present Oneida Castle is given on those
maps as " New Oneyda Castle." From the Old Oneida
Castle, far to the southward of the trail through Lenox, is
traced a trail to Canaseraga, which must have passed
through Smithfield and Fenner. The Oneidas also had a
village at the Lake side, where they dwelt in considerable
numbers, and where they fortified themselves. Schoolcrait
speaks of this as the second village they inhabited, and of one
afterwards built at Conowaloa (present Oneida Castle).

Speaking of their first Castle — in Stockbridge — School-
craft says : " The eminence where the Stone was located,
was formerly a butternut grove. * * * * yj^g ancient
town extended in a transverse valley south of this ridge of
land, covered as it was by nut wood trees, and was com-
pletely sheltered by it from the north winds. A copious,
clean spring of water issued out at the spot selected for
their wigwams. * * * * This Stone became the na-
tional altar. * * * * When it was necessary to light
their pipes and assemble to discuss national matters, they
had only to ascend the hill through its richly wooded groves
to its extreme summit, at the site of the Oneida Stone. * *

" The Stone is a large, but not enormous boulder of sye-
nite of the etraiic block group, and consequently geologically
f )reign to the location. * * * * There are no rocks
like this till we reach the Adirondacks. The White Stone
which stood near the spring, and which has been removed
to make a part of Mr. Francis' fence, is a carbonate of lime,
and is not the true Oneida Stone."

[A boulder of gneiss, which tradition identified as this
palladium of the Oneidas, a few years since was taken from
the farm of James H. Gregg, in the town of Stockbridge,
and placed in a prominent position near the entrance of the

INDIANS, lOI

Utica Cemetery, on the Bridgewater Plank road, about a
mile south of Utica.]

The Oneidas affirm that they sprung from the Stone.
At the time the Oneidas came to fix their location at the
Stone, the Konoshioni had not confederated. At the time
of the confederation, the delegate from the Oneidas was
Osaischechte. He lived at the Stone.

Although trees have grown upon the ancient settlement,
yet a few years since the cornhills could be distinctly seen.
This is accounted for, by the fact that in ancient times the
cornhills were made so large, that three clusters of stalks, or
sub-hills, were raised on each circle or hill. There being no
plough or other general means of turning up the earth, the
same hill was used year after year, and thus its outlines
became large and well defined.

One individual, writing to Schoolcraft, states that " the
syenite stone on the hill was the true Oneida Stone, and
not the White Stone at the spring [as many have claimed].;
was so pronounced by Moses Schuyler, son of Hon Yost,
who knew it forty years ago, [written in 1846,] that the
elevation gave a view of the whole valley, so that they
could descry their enemies at a distance by the smoke of
their fires ; no smoke, he said, without fire. They could
notify also from this elevation by a beacon fire. The name
of the Stone is One-a-ta ; auk, added to render it personal,
— people of the Stone."

Joncaire, a French writer before the middle of the
eighteenth century, says, that "the Oneidas who are neigh-
bors to the Mohawks, are one hundred warriors, and whose
village has the device of a stone in the forks of a tree, or a
tree notched with some blows of an ax."

The following account of the ancient council ground of
the Oneidas was taken in 1845, from the lips of an aged
person, Mrs. Daniel Warren, one of the pioneers of that
vicinity. We give it from the manuscript, word for word,
as the writer penned it at that date.

102 madison county,

October 2, 1845.
"Forty years ago the hill known as ' Primes Hill,' and
celebrated as the great council ground of the ' Six Na-
tions,' was covered with a dense wilderness, save a small
spot on the summit, comprising an area of about an half
acre, and in shape a complete circle, bordered all around
with a thick growth of shrubs, consisting of alders, wild
plums and hazels. On the east was a narrow place of en-
trance of barely sufficient width to admit two persons
abreas":. Not far from this entrance place, and within the
area, was a circle of earth of some 20 feet in diameter, which
was raised about two feet above the general level, and cov-
ered over with fine coals — ^having the appearance of a coal-
pit bottom of the present day. The remainder of this oasis
in the wilderness was overgrown in summer with wild grass,
wild flowers and weeds, and appeared as if a tree had never
encumbered it since the dawn of creation. When, or by
whom this spot was cleared, is not known, nor will it ever
be known. In all probability hundreds of years have rolled
over it and found it the same, save that different races have
been born and swept away successively around the same spot.
The face of the earth around, indeed, indicates that it has
once been peopled with a race considerably advanced in
civilization. Within a radius of three miles from this spot,
are found graves, with trees growing over them, so that the
roots spread from the head to the foot. A great many of
these graves were some years since excavated, and found
to contain various bones, and in some cases entire skele-
tons of a people of giant proportions, the skulls and jaw-
bones of which would cover the head and face of the most
fleshy person of our day. In these graves were also found
hatchets of very symmetrical shape, brass vessels somewhat
in the form of our brass kettles, smoking pipes of various
shapes, small metal bells, beads of all shapes and sizes, and
various other articles of use and ornament, some of them
bearing letters, characters, or devices in an unknown lan-
guage. The trees found growing upon these ancient graves
count from two to four hundred grains — making (according
to the usual way of reckoning the age of trees) the same
number of years. Not many years since a skull was dug
up which contained a bullet of common size ; the skull bone
was a sound one, and had a hole in it of the size of the ball.
From this, and other like circumstances, it is inferred that

INDIANS. 103

this race, or those who made war upon them, knew the use
of fire-arms. There is no one among the oldest of the In-
dians who are now or have been residents anywhere in this
region of country, who can give any traditionary account
reaching so far back as to tell the fate of these people. Such
traditions as we do get come orally, and go no further back
than about one hundred years, though there is a tradition,
that a long time ago there was a very destructive war waged
between some tribes in this section of country and those of
Canada. A great battle was fought between them upon
this very ground, and with such fury and determination on
both sides, that each were nearly all slaughtered. So runs
iJie tradition^

The writer goes on further to say of his own personal
view of the spot at that date (1845), and the thoughts sug-
gested thereby :

" I passed over * Primes Hill ' on my way home, and
paused upon the spot to let my thoughts dwell for a
moment upon scenes that had been in years long since
past, upon the very earth I trod. It seemed like holy
ground ! Here was the ' Council Rock,' which had often
been the seat of the head Chief in grand council, when the
ancient trees of the forest spread their sheltering arms over
it, and the free, unsophisticated Indians were the only pos-
sessors of the soil it stood on ; and yonder, and all around
in every direction, were the graves of an unknown race,
with the bones of their aboriginal successors mingling with
theirs in one common dust ! But the magic hand of civil-
ized man has waved over the sacred spot — the wilderness
has disappeared, and the plough of the farmer has traced
and retraced over it for years — but Nature yet claims her
own in many respects ; the lofty hill still lifts its proud sum-
mit far above any around it, and * Council Rock ' yet bares
its iron bosom to the blasts of winter, and remains un-
scathed.

With the help of a stone as heavy as I could swing with
both hands, I succeeded in crumbling off a few small pieces
from this natural monument of other days, for the purpose
of carrying them home to keep as curiosities. I then sat
myself down a few feet from it, and took out my pencil, and
on a blank leaf of a volume of ' Rollins' Ancient History,'
which I happened to have in my pocket, I sketched the

I04 MADISON COUNTV,

Rock and the scenery about it, with a piece of woods and
the little village of Durhamville in the distance. Whilst
I was doing this, wife had the kindness to keep the sun-
shine off my work with her bonnet. We then proceeded
a few rods south, and crossed a piece of ground where are
yet found a great variety of old Indian ornaments, such as
have been mentioned. These are turned up by the plough
every time it passes over it — and as the ground had lately
been ploughed we succeeded in finding several little relics
to bring away with us."

This hill and these famous grounds, here so graphically
described, were some years since owned by the Gregg and
Francis families.

There is a burial ground about a mile southeast of
Munnsville, on the hillside. In excavations here, iron and
steel axes, gun barrels and fragments of gun locks, brass
kettles, and a small bone image of a woman, have been
found. The axes are hatchet shaped, and marked under
the eyes with three stars.

After the destruction of the Oneida village (Canawaloa)
by Mons. De Vaudreuil, in 1696, they rebuilt at the same
place. This is the present Oneida Castle, situated on
Oneida Creek, in Vernon and Lenox, of Oneida and Madison
counties. When the Tuscaroras came they placed some of
them at the old Oneida Castle in Stockbridge, where the
latter set out an orchard which had many trees standing
and bearing Iruit, when the first settlers came to this
country. The Oneidas also had a village at Canaseraga,
where many Tuscaroras also settled, and they had another
village on the Susquehanna, the inhabitants of which, how-
ever, they gathered home when the Revolutionary war broke
out. After the country was at peace, settlers who came in
were witnesses to the frequent migrations of the Indians to
the Susquehanna, for the purpose of hunting and fishing.
Sir William Johnson speaks of building forts in 1756, in
the Oneida Castle, also at Onondaga, Seneca and Sco-

INDIANS. 105

harie.* Whether they were built, and if so, when they were
destroyed, we have no data to inform us.

Schoolcraft describes the ruins of a fort which he dis-
covered in Lenox, Madison County, in the neighborhood of
the " Lenox Furnace." It was situated within the junction
of two branches of a stream. He describes the indication
of a picketed work and excavations, which he says " are
now but mere indentations." Mons. De Belletre, in 1757,
who came in to the country with, his detachment of 300
men, says the route from Canaseraga " goes to the Great
Oneida village. A picket fort with four bastions was once
constructed in this village by the English. It was de-
stroyed by the Oneidas in observance of promises given to
De Vaudreuil. Each of its sides might have been 100
paces. There is a second Oneida village, called the little
village, situated on the bank of the lake. There is no fort
in the latter. From this large village is a path to Forts
Bull and William, also one to Fort Kouari, which can be
traveled without being obliged to pass the said two forts."

The traversing armies of the ancient time used oftener
to go by water than otherwise. In coming from the west-
ward they came up the Oswego River into Oneida Lake ;
from the lake they entered Vilcrick (Wood Creek) and as-
cended to Fort Bull. From this Fort there is a carrying
place across the height of land to Fort William, [Rome,]
about one league and a quarter, from where the boats
take the Mohawk River.

After this country was open for white settlements, Capt.
Charles Williamson, a traveler through there, in 1792, thus

*Among Sir William's papers is found a memorandum which is supposed to be
the plan of his forts, viz :

" 100 ft square the stockads P. or Ok 15 ft long 3 of wch at least to be sunk in
the ground well pounded & rammed & ye 2 touching sides square so as to lay close.
Loop holes to be made 4 ft dist ; 2 Bl H'ses 20 ft sq. below and above to project
I 1-2 foot over ye Beams well roofed & shingled and a good sentry Box on the top
of each, a good Gate of 3 Inc oak PI. & iron hinges & a small Gate of Oak Plank
of same thick's Endorsed

Fort Johnson May 28th, 1756."

lO

miles.

6

6

II

12

lO

« "

I06 MADISON COUNTY.

remarks on the route, and the taverns and distances
between them, from Fort Schuyler to Onondaga Hollow : —

" From Fort Schuyler to Lairds on the Great Genesee

Road, _ _ _ _

" Lairds to Van Epps near Oneida Reservation,
"Van Epps to Wemps on Oneida Reservation,
" Wemps to Sills at the Deep Spring,
" Sills to Keelers Junior,
" Keelers to Tylers Onondaga Hollow,

The Flats of Canaseraga were cleared, and Louis Dennie
was the head Chief of the village. Deep Spring, always
famous on this road, was regarded by the Iroquois as the
location of the eastern door of the Onondagas. The
peculiarity of this spring is, that it comes out of the ground
and a few rods farther on goes into the hill again. It is
surrounded on all sides by trees carved with the initials of
visitors.

MISSIONS.

The Missions among the Oneidas, after the Jesuits, were
not for a century perhaps very successful. In 1712, Rev.
William Andrews was appointed missionary among the
Mohawks and Oneidas, and after a residence of six
years among the Mohawks, visiting the Oneidas often, he
became discouraged and asked to be recalled, saying " there
is no hope of making them better — heathen they are and
heathen they still must be." Rev. Mr. Barclay, Rev. Mr.
Andrews, Rev. Mr. Ogilvie, and Rev. Gideon Hawley from
Stockbridge, Mass., were missionaries to these nations,
visiting the Oneidas occasionally.

In 1753, Rev. Mr. Hawley, Deacon Timothy Woodbridge,
and Rev. Mr. Ashley and wife, the latter a remarkable in-
terpreter, went to Oquago to re-establish the mission there,
where they arrived after many hardships and troubles.
Mrs. Hawley laid her bones at Onohoghgwaga in August,
1757. She was much lamented by the Indians, many of
whom were Oneidas. Her Indian name was Wausaunia.

INDIANS.

107

Rev. Samuel Kirkland, commenced his missionary la-
bors among the Oneidas in 1766, with whom he Hved and
labored many years and with great success. He was the
son of Rev. Daniel Kirkland, of Norwich, Connecticut, and
was born December ist, 1741. He was the tenth child of
a family of twelve children. At the age of twenty-three he
undertook a mission to the Senecas, and spent two years
among them. Returning to his native country a short
time he was commissioned to the work among the Oneidas.
In the summer of 1769, he again went to Connecticut and
there married Jerusha Bingham, an excellent woman, " well
fitted by her good sense and devout heart to become the
wife of a missionary." He soon returned to his post, ac-
companied by his wife, and the two shared the cares, trials
and labors in their chosen field. They felt repaid in the
consciousness of having accomplished some good, when
they saw the progress of the nation in acquiring the habits,
arts and Christianity of civilized life. Mr. Kirkland's in-
fluence was remarkable among the Oneidas, and his counsel
was sought in every emergency. Upon the breaking out
of the Revolutionary war, his influence, chiefly, deterred the
Oneidas from taking part with the British. He was obliged
to remove his family from the Castle, but he continued
his labors among them. During a portion of the war he
officiated as chaplain to the American forces in the vicinity ;
he also accompanied the expedition of Gen. Sullivan in 1779,
through the western part of the State.

Mr. Kirkland received a present from the Oneidas of a
tract of land, and the State of New York in consideration
of valuable services during the war, granted him also an ad-
ditional tract, lying in the town of Kirkland, known as
" Kirkland's Patent," upon a portion of which Hamilton
College stands. To these lands he removed his family in
1792, and fixed his residence near the village of Clinton,
where he continued till his death, March 28th, 1808, in the
67th year of his age.

I08 MADISON COUNTY.

Mr. Kirkland's labors among the Oneidas were in many
instances attended with happy results ; a large portion of
the nation espoused the Christian religion while he was
with them, among whom was the Great Chief, Skenandoah.
Through the influence of the Christian faith he taught, in
time the whole nation gave up their pagan ceremonies and
professed themselves Christians. About 1791, Mr. Kirk-
land conceived the project of establishing a seminary for the
education of Indian youths, as well as the whites. Through
his exertions a charter was obtained in 1793 for the school
he had planted, and it bore the name of " Hamilton Oneida
Academy." In 1794, a building was erected which for
many years afterwards continued to be known as " Oneida
Hall," till the seminary was raised to the rank of a college.
Mr. Kirkland was a generous benefactor of this institution,
and expended much of his time and means in promoting its
interests.

Skenandoah. — " But the name which stands more prom-
inently upon the page of history, and which will be remem-
bered until the original inhabitants of this continent are
forgotten, is that of Skenandoah, ' the white man's friend.'
He was born about the year 1706, but of his younger days
little or nothing is known. It has been stated, but upon
what authority the writer does not know, that he was not
an Oneida by birth, but was a native of a tribe living a
long distance to the northwest, and was adopted by the
Oneidas when a young man. * * * in his youth and
early manhood, Skenandoah was very savage and intem-
perate. In 1755, while attending upon a treaty in Albany,
he became excessively drunk at night, and in the morning
found himself divested of all his ornaments and clothing.
His pride revolting at his self-degradation, he resolved
never again to place himself under the power of fire zuaier, a
resolution which it is believed he kept to the end of his life.
In appearance he was noble, dignified and commanding, be-
ing in height much over six feet, and the tallest Indian in
his nation. He possessed a powerful frame, for at the age of
eighty-five he was a full match for any member of his tribe,
either as to strength, or speed on foot ; his powers of endu-

INDIANS. 109

ranee were equal to his size and physical power. But it
was to his eloquence and mental powers, he owed his repu-
tation and influence. His person was tattoed, or marked in
a peculiar manner. There were nine lines arranged by-
threes extending downward from each shoulder, and meet-
ing upon the chest, made by introducing some dark color-
ing matter under the skin. He was, in his riper years, one
of the noblest counsellors among the North American
tribes ; he possessed a vigorous mind, and was alike saga-
cious, active, and persevering. As an enemy he was
terrible — as a friend and ally he was mild and gentle in his
disposition, and faithful to his engagements. His vigilance,
once preserved from massacre the inhabitants of the little
settlement of German Flats ; and in the revolutionary war
his influence induced the Oneidas to take up arms in favor
of the Americans. Soon after Mr. Kirkland established
his mission at Oneida, Skenandoah embraced the doctrines
of the Gospel, and for the rest of his life he lived a consist-
ent Christian. He often repeated the wish that he might
be buried by the side of his old teacher and spiritual father,
that he might 'go up with him at the great resurrection ;'
and several times in the latter years of his life he made the
journey frjm Oneida to Clinton, hoping to die there.
Although he could speak but little English, and in his
extreme old age was blind, yet his company was sought.
In conversation he was highly decorous, evincing that he
had profited by seeing civilized and polished society in his
better days. He evinced constant care not to give pain by
any remark or reply. * * * To a friend who called
upon him a short time before his decease, he thus expressed
himself by an interpreter : ' I am an aged hemlock ; the winds
of an hundred winters have whistled through my branches ;
I am dead at the top. The generation to which I belonged
has run away and left me ; why I live the Great Good
Spirit only knows ; pray to my Jesus that I may have
patience to wait for my appointed time to die.' * * *

"After listening to the prayers read at his bedside by his
great-grand-daughter, Skenandoah yielded up his spirit on
the nth day of March, 18 16, aged about one hundred and
ten years. Agreeably to a promise made by the family ol
Mr. Kirkland, his remains were brought to Clinton, and
buried by the side of his spiritual father. Services were
attended in the Congregational meeting house in Clinton,

no MADISON COUNTY.

and an address was made to the Indians by Dr. Backus,
President of Hamilton College, interpreted by Judge Dean,
and after prayer, and singing appropriate psalms, the corpse
was carried to the grave preceded by the students of the
College, and followed in order by the Indians, Mr. Kirk-
land and family. Judge Dean, Rev. Dr. Norton, Rev. Mr.
Ayres, Officers of the College and Citizens.

" Skenandoah was buried in the garden of Mr. Kirkland,
a short distance south of the road leading up to the College.
A handsome monument stands in the College burying
ground, with the following inscription : —

" ' Skenandoa. This Monument is erected by the North-
ern Missionary Society, in testimony of their respect for
the memory of Skenandoa, who died in peace and hope of
the Gospel, on the nth of March, 1816. Wise, eloquent
and brave, he long swayed the Councils of his Tribe, whose
confidence and affection he eminently enjoyed. In the war
which placed the Canadas under Great Britain, he was actively
engaged against the French ; in that of the Revolution, he
espoused that of the Colonies, and ever afterwards remained
a firm friend to the United States. Under the ministry of
Rev Mr. Kirkland he embraced the doctrines of the Gos-
pel ; and having exhibited their power in a long life,
adorned by every Christian virtue, he fell asleep in Jesus at
the advanced age of 100 years.' " *

James Dean, was a famous interpreter among the
Oneidas. He was born in Groton, Conn., in 1748. He
was educated for a missionary among the Indians, and
while very young was sent among them at Oquago, to learn
their language. He was adopted into an Indian family,
and to his Indian mother he always manifested an ardent
attachment. He learned to speak their language more
perfectly than any other white man known. The Oneidas
said he was the only white person whom they had ever
known, who could speak their language so perfectly that they
could not at once detect him, if hid from view. He was a
graduate of Dartmouth College, in its first class. In 1774,

*The above sketch, from Jones' Oneida we copy nearly entire. The author
has seen no version of the story of this Great Chief's life so full and interesting as
this.

INDIANS. Ill

he was sent among the natives to learn their views toward
the Colonists, and proved himself to be a valuable person
in the work assigned him. He was retained in public ser-
vice at the commencement of the Revolution, with the rank
of Major in the Staff, as agent for Indian affairs and inter-
preter, being stationed most of the time at Fort Stanwix
and Oneida Castle. Ever after the war Mr. Dean enjoyed
the confidence of the Oneidas. For his services the Onei-
das gave him a tract of land two miles square, which was
located upon the north side of Wood Creek, in the present
town of Vienna. This was known a few years since as
" Dean's Place." The selection proved to be an unfortunate
one on account of inundations, and it was given up, the
Indians agreeing to change his location to any place he
desired. He selected it in the present town of Westmore-
land, since known as " Dean's Patent." He settled upon
this in 1786. Jones, in his Oneida County History, gives
some thrilling and deeply interesting incidents concerning
Judge Dean and his Indian friends ; one, in which an
Indian woman saved his life, as Pocahontas did that of
Capt. John Smith, which richly repays perusal.

Judge Dean was for many years one of the Judges of
Oneida Common Pleas, and was twice member of the Leg-
islature. He honored every position he was called to fill.
He was a good scholar, and as a writer, his style was beau-
tiful and chaste. He wrote a lengthy essay upon Indian
mythology. The manuscript was lent to President Dwight,
but never returned.

EPISCOPAL MISSION.

In i8i6,Bishop Hobartofthe Protestant Episcopal Church,
established a mission at Oneida Castle and placed Rev.
Eleazer Williams in charge. The latter was the reputed son
of Thomas Williams, a distinguished Chief of the Mohawk
branch of the St. Regis tribe, and was a descendant of the
Rev. John Williams, who, with his family and parishoners,
were taken captives by the Indians at Deerfield, Mass., in

112 MADISON COUNTY.

1704. Mr. Eleazer Williams was liberally educated for the
purpose of being useful to his people, and was placed at
Oneida as a lay-reader, catechist and school teacher. [Rev.
Eleazer Williams is the person about whom there was at
one time considerable speculation as to his being heir to the
throne of France. It was said, and an endeavor was made
to prove that he was the lost Dauphin, the son of Louis
XVII, whose fate had been enshrouded in mystery. The
efforts made, and evidence brought forward, created no
small stir in certain circles, which was but temporary, sub-
siding as soon as the romance of the affair had died away.]
So great was Mr. Williams' success, that a large portion of the
Oneidas who had hitherto been known as the Pagan Party,
embraced the Christian faith, and on the 25th of January,
18 17, sent an address to Governor DeWitt Clinton, request-
ing to be henceforth known as the Second Christiati Party
of the Oneida Nation. The address was adopted in council,
and signed by eleven chiefs and head- men. Bishop Hobart
visited the mission, and confirmed in all five hundred In-
dians. In 18 18, the Second Christian Party sold a piece of
land to enable them to erect a chapel. It was consecrated
by Bishop Hobart, September 21, 18 19, by the title of St.
Peter's Church. Mr. Solomon Davis succeeded Mr. Wil-
liams in 1822, the latter having removed to Green Bay with
a portion of the Oneida nation. Mr. Davis subsequently
removed to Green Bay with another portion of the nation.
In 1840 the meeting house was removed to Vernon.

THE METHODIST MISSION.

In 1829, a Mission Church was formed among the Onei-
das, consisting of about twenty-four members. Rev. Dan
Barnes originated the mission. Previous to this the Oneidas
belonged to the Presbyterian and Episcopal missions.
They had been converted from Paganism to a belief in
Christianity, but their morals had been sadly neglected, and
intemperance and all the evils attendant, was fast demoral-
izing the race.

INDIANS. 113

After the Methodist Mission Church was formed, they
were supplied with missionaries from among their own
race, — Indians who had been educated for this purpose.
William and John Doxtater, Indian preachers from Canada,
served for a time. The Rev. Dan Barnes, their first
white preacher, then came and located among them for
about three years. During his mission a revival of great
power pervaded the Indian settlements. The Orchard
Party (which included the present Windfall Party), the First
and Second Christian Parties, all united in this revival. It.
was witnessed by white people who had never seen any-
thing like it before, for its power and remarkable religious
manifestations. One who recollects the scenes of their
nightly meetings (that continued for months), where the
Holy Spirit slew its hundreds, where the Indians' impas-
sioned feelings found vent only through their imperfect lan-
guage, and in their melodious rendering of the few hymns
they knew, thus remarks : " The effect produced was
a strange one to the wondering looker on, and the scene
was impressive if not affecting ; half a dozen females
could be seen, at once, rocking to and fro, the ardor of
their religious feelings amounting to intoxication, when
presently they were prostrated with the power ; half
a dozen more could be seen at the same moment, entering
into the same state, and as many more recovering from this
temporary trance." Such rejoicing and wild praises as went
up to the Throne of Heaven, was never known before. The
Indians were happy in an altogether new-found religion.
" Such shouting, such slapping of hands, such praising
God !" says Cornelius, when conversing of this remarkable
period in their history ; and adding, with enthusiasm kind-
ling his eye, " I tell you, nothing like Methodist ! They
drink no more, then ; all sober ; in every house singing or
praying ; at logging bees they sing, then pray, then go to
work — all day praising God." It was a happy time, for they
had never since their nation had become reduced, been so

H

114 MADISON COUNTY.

wholly united as now. In a council held by the chiefs, viz :
Jacob Cornelius, William Cornelius, William Day and Moses
Cornelius, with the head Chief of the Six Nations, Moses
Schuyler — all the Oneidas, including the First and Second
Christian Parties and the Orchard Party, were, by their
own desires, and by the counsel and acquiescence of these
Chiefs, constituted members of the M. E. Church. A few
years subsequently, the same Chiefs, in solemn council,
appointed two ministers from among their own race, to
preach the Gospel. Thomas Cornelius and his brother
John Cornelius, were thus made Methodist exhorters, who
were under the supervision of the M. E. Church, Subse-
quently, other exhorters were raised up among them, viz :
David Johnson, then Isaac Johnson, and next Thomas
Bread.

At the Orchard, the first Methodist Mission House was
built. This orchard is an old and very large one, situated
in the southwest corner of Vernon. It was set out by the
Indians long before the arrival of the first white settler, it
being apparently an old orchard in 1 794. As it was a famous
locality, the Indian tribes living in this vicinity were de-
nominated the " Orchard Party." The house of worship
built here, was sold with the land, by the company of Indi-
ans who emigrated to Green Bay in 1833. Those remaining
were much opposed to having the mission house sold, and
made efforts to have it reserved, which, however, were of no
avail. Another house was soon erected near their burying
ground, which is also in the southwest part of Vernon. This
is yet called the Orchard Church, as the families who reside
about it are of the Orchard people.

About the same time, the Windfall Party built another
house of worship. This is situated in the town of Lenox,
about three miles south of Oneida Castle, on the west road
leading to Knoxville. Their churches now being in the
care of the M. E. Conference, are never more to be sold
from them, for which the Indians are heartily glad.

INDIANS.

115

Before so many had emigrated, the church society was
very large, numbering hundreds ; it is now comparatively
small, though most of the natives are professing Christians,
and many are very devout. The pastor stationed at
Bennetts Corners M. E. Church, (white) has the care of the
Indian Mission, and preaches at the Orchard, at the
Windfall House, and also at the Bennetts Corners Church.
Rev. Mr. Wadsworth was pastor at one time. Rev. George
W. Smith, who is with them now, has been with them ten
years this Conference year. The Indians are greatly
attached to him, and rely upon him as their counselor in
all matters. In councils of their own race, they regard
his presence as indispensable. There are among them-
selves two head men — not Chiefs, they say, as that office
ceased to be of use, when they no longer held lands in
common. These head men. Rev. Thomas Cornelius and
Daniel Skenandoah, are counselors in Indian matters.
They are always made their deputies in public matters,
to take care of the interests of their race.

Daniel Skenandoah, a great-grandson of the noted
Chief, lives here in the neighborhood of the Windfall
Church. He has a noble, well cultivated farm, a good
dwelling, its interior arranged as his white neighbors have
theirs — books, pictures, a large melodeon, &c., &c. Mrs.
Skenandoah, is a fair woman, and dresses and appears like
white people. The sons and daughters are active,
intelligent and high spirited. Two of the daughters attend
the Cazenovia Seminary. Daniel Skenandoah was sixty
years old in Aprd, 1872. He is a man of great physical
strength and endurance, and in intelligence will compete
with any of the white men around him. He has good
practical judgment, sound common sense, and a keen eye
to business.

Rev. Thomas Cornelius has also a handsome and very
productive farm, and a good, white farm cottage, situated in
the same neighborhood. Thomas Cornelius was born at

Il6 MADISON COUNTY.

the Orchard, and belonged to that party. He was con-
verted under the ministration of Rev. Mr. Barnes, joined
the M. E. Church, and has remained a devoted Christian
ever since. He was made a local preacher, as before stated,
and subsequently was ordained Elder. His influence is
great among his people ; he is verily an apostle to his race,
lifting the erring out of their degradation, teaching them as
none but an Indian can, the blessed way of righteousness,
he, himself hath found. He is respected and loved by his
white neighbors, for his noble heart, his great integrity, and
his devotion to all that is good and Christ-like. His Chris-
tianity beams in his countenance, and pervades his whole
manner. In person he is very tall, well proportioned and
erect. He has a pleasant, brown eye, an expressive coun-
tenance, and his motions and manners, are very graceful. He
had some advantages in youth — was a student at Cazenovia
Seminary for a time, where he readily acquired accomplish-
ments. His remarkable physical presence, which his size,
dignity and grace make up, together with his noble Christian
spirit, impresses one with a sense of his magnificent
individuality. And yet he has no haughty pride ; his kind-
ness of heart and gentleness are proverbial. He was sixty
years old the 20th day of March, 1872. He has a family of
well developed children, and still lives with the wife of his
youth.

The Indians own farms all along the Oneida valley, from
Oneida Castle southward tc the old tavern called " Five
Chimneys," though many white people own farms in among
them. They live on terms of friendliness with their white
neighbors. Many of their farms are as valuable and well
cultivated as are those of any civilized people, and there are
some good farm houses. Isaac Webster is a good farmer.
He is a man of good sense and is quite prominent among
them.

INDIANS. 117

The oldest man in the settlement is Antone, (believed to
be a brother of Abram Antone) who is said, by good au-
thority, to be one hundred years old. Dr. John Denny
alias " Sundown," was formerly an interpreter, as was also
Peter Doxtater. Aaron Antone, a grandson of Abram,
lives at the settlement.

The Indians in the mission are devout Christians, atten-
tive to all the means of grace, and to the observance of the
Sabbath, even excelling many white Christians in this re-
spect. The great hindrance to their spiritual progress is
intemperance. They have some superstitions yet lingering
among them ; their customs in doctoring the sick are not
yet eradicated, and there is still a belief in witches in the
minds of many. Jones, in his History of Oneida County,
says : "About 1805 occurred the last execution at Oneida
for witchcraft. Two women suffered for this supposed
crime. Hon Yost, an Indian somewhat noted in the Revo-
lution, was chosen executioner, and he entered their lodge
and tomahawked them according to the decree of a courtcil.
Luke Hitchcock, Esq., then a lad, was present at the exe-
cution."

The whole charge, now in Mr. Smith's pastoral care, is
denominated " Bennetts Corners and Oneida Indian Mis-
sion." The white M. E. Society at Bennett's Corners was
formed about twenty-five years ago, and their house of wor-
ship, pleasantly situated on the old Oneida turnpike, in full
view from the Midland Station there, was soon afterwards
built. It was then called Pine Bush Station (so named
from the remarkable great pines which once grew in this
valley). The charge presented at first an uninviting pros-
pect, but during the past ten years, under Mr. Smith's care,
the whole charge has rapidly improved. The white church
has now about sixty-five members. The Rev. Mr. Smith
lives in a white cottage close by the church — a quiet coun-
try situation — but with plenty of work for the pastor in
looking to the spiritual needs of his peculiar parishioners.

nS MADISON COUNTi".

There are at Green Bay about fifteen hundred Oneidas,
the last remove firom here being in 1S44, when the Reser-
vation was broken up at Oneida. There are about two
hundred now in the Oneida Mission. They have two
schools, one at the Orchard, and one at the Windfall settle-
ment. Their progress in education is somewhat hindered,
by the Indians speaking almost exclusively their native
language in their families. Great care has been exercised
to obtain the best of teachers. If they would more willingly
accept the benefits of civilization, and eschew its evils, par-
ticularly intemperance, theirs might be a happier lot. They
are not nevessan'/r under the doom of extinction, for they are
physically a healthy race, and increase as rapidly as any.
The imf ending doom is brought about by the ci'iis of civil-
ization. It is believed that if they should intermarry with
the white race, their color, in a few generations, would dis-
appear.

It is proposed that the new Oneida Cemetery- have a
burial place for the Oneidas, and that there be a monument
erected to perpetuate their memor}'. upon which shall be
inscribed the names of their greatest Chiefs, from the first,
down to that of Moses Schuyler, the last head Sachem. It
is a tribute justly due them from the people who now cul-
ti\-ate the lands which were theirs, and Uve in villages on
their hunting grounds.

The Oxeida Reservation ^^•as originally a \-ast domain
held in common, where all enjoyed equal privileges, and
lived after the primitive style. As the Indians became sur-
rounded by white settlers, they became easily induced by
payments of money and annuities, to sell their resen-ation
and tr)- the ciWlized mode of culti\-ating farms, or to remove
te a fireer, wider range, if their tastes did not incline to civ-
ilized life.

Therefore, by treaty in 178S, they ceded to the State of
New York, the \'ast domain of about seven million acres of
land, reserving to themselves and their posterity forever.

INDIANS. 119

" the free right" of hunting in all the woodlands, and fishing
in all the streams of that extensive territory.

Thus did they endeavor to preserve for ever their hunt-
ing grounds, as sacred to them and their posterity to the
remotest period.

But civilization has leveled the forests, and covered the
streams with mills and dams, effectually destroying the
privileges thus looked upon by those "Children of Nature,"
as precious in prospect.

During this winter past, (1872,) an application has been
made to the State by the remnant few of the tribe, for
some equivalent, by way of compensation, for that which has
been lost by the deprivation of the privilege thus reserved,
of hunting and fishing, as a last act of justice to a nation all
but faded away.

Judge Thomas Barlow, of Canastota, Madison County,
made the application, and spoke for the Indians before the
authorities at Albany.

The great body of the Oneidas, removed to Green Bay at
different periods, between 1822 and 1833, ^^^ small parties
havejemigrated since. By report of the U. S. Indian Agent
in 1849, the Oneidas at Green Bay were in a prosperous
condition.

In 1845, there were upon the Oneida Reservation, in all,
thirty-one families of Oneidas — seventy-one males and
eighty-six females ; total one hundred and fifty-seven ; be-
sides one Delaware, one Mohawk, one St. Regis, and four
Stockbridges. Of these, one hundred and thirty-three were
still professed Pagans, the remainder attending upon the
Methodist Mission. They then owned four hundred and
twenty-one acres of land tolerably improved. Several of
the Indians lived in frame houses, some of which were
painted.

There were two Indian schools in the reservation, in
which are employed teachers, about thirty-two weeks in the
year

I20 MADISON COUNTY.

Nathaniel T. Strong, an educated Seneca, who was em-
ployed by Government to take the Indian census in 1855,
makes the following remarks on the condition of the Indians
throughout the State, which may not be inappropriately
added here :

" The subject of the reclamation of the Red man is one
of deep and absorbing interest. There are now four thou-
sand members of the Six Nations residing in the State of
New York. In many respects they have become assimi-
lated to the dense white population which surrounds them.
Necessity has compelled them to resign the arrow and the
spear for the plow, and the fertile soil now yields that sus-
tenance which they but recently sought in the pathless
forests and prolific streams. Reluctantly diverted from the
exciting chase and perilous war-path, the mind of the young
warrior now seeks another aliment, is quickened by new as-
pirations. He sees a new field opened before him, with
pressing inducements to enter and emulate his white breth-
ren, in the friendly contest for the triumphs of industry and
civilization. Hereditary pride, the prejudice of complexion,
and, it may be, the remembrance of past indignities and
wrongs, may have hitherto prevented him from relaxing his
tenacious grasp on the customs and memories of his fathers,
and initiating himself into a new and better life. But a
change has been gradually wrought in his condition and
mode of life and habits of thought. * * * * it is con-
ceded that there are but two means of rescuing the Indian
from his impending destiny, these are education and Chris-
tianity."

Mr. Strong mentions the large sums of money expended
for the' benefit of the Red men, but it is his opinion
that much of it has been used injudiciously. He con-
cludes his remarks by recommending to the government
that this sacred trust be placed in the hands of the mission-
aries, who, he believes, will exert their self-denying efforts
for the elevation and redemption of this almost friendless
race.

THE BROTHERTOWN INDIANS,

were adopted into the Oneida Nation, coming into their
midst as emigrants, from time to time during the last half of

INDIANS. 121

the eighteenth century. They located mostly upon and
near the Oriskany in the town of Marshall, Oneida County.
They derived their name from the fact of their being a union
of many tribes, or brothers. Having no common language,
they adopted the English language. Rev. Samson Occum,
a Mohegian, was a celebrated preacher in their tribe. He
was a thoroughly educated Indian, He went to England
to solicit aid for the Lebanon Indian school at Connecticut,
and while there received many marks of favor. During his
subsequent life, he carried a gold-mounted cane presented to
him by the King. He preached in the King's Chapel be-
fore George III ; also in the pulpit of Whitfield, and indeed
" the noblest chapels in the kingdom were open to him."
The King, many of the nobility and persons of distinction,
became patrons of the school. Mr. Occum preached for
many years with his tribe, and in connection with Mr. Ser-
geant, a portion of his time at Stockbridge. He was often
called upon by the white settlers to preach, attend funerals,
and solemnize marriages. He was a man oi cultivated
mind, pleasing address and manners, and in his life exem-
plified the spirit of the Gospel. He enjoyed the confidence
of Mr. Kirkland and all Christians in the settlements. He
died at New Stockbridge in July, 1792, aged sixty-nine
years.

THE STOCKBRIDGE INDIANS,

were adopted into the Oneida Nation, and removed to the
lands granted them in Stockbridge in 1783. This tract
was six miles square and was called New Stockbridge. It
lay in the present towns of Vernon, Oneida County, and
Stockbridge, Madison County. Rev. John Sergeant, their
pastor, came with them and established a church imme-
diately, at their new home. Sixteen members formed this
new church, — the tribe then numbering four hundred and
twenty souls. This church was increased by additions to
their settlement in 1785, and in 1788, when the whole tribe
had emigrated from Stockbridge, Massachusetts, their na-

122 MADISON COUNTY,

tive home. Mr. Sergeant regularly spent six months in the
year at New Stockbridge, until 1796, when he removed his
family hither, after which he continued to reside with them
till his death. In 1796, Legislature granted a tract of
land one mile square, adjoining Stockbridge, to Mr. Ser-
geant, known as Sergeant's Patent. This was a present
from the Indians. In 18 18, the Stockbridge Indians num-
bered four hundred and thirty-eight souls, and owned a very
large amount of land in Oneida and Madison counties.
That year (18 18), about a quarter of the tribe went west by
invitation of the Delawares, who, with them, had been given
lands one hundred and fifty years ago on the White River,
Indiana, by the Miamis, Before they reached White River
they learned that the Delawares had sold the whole tract to
the government of Indiana. In 1821, the Six Nations and
Stockbridges, St. Regis and Munsee tribes, purchased of
the Menominees and Winnebagoes a large tract of land upon
Green Bay, and the Winnebago and Fox Rivers in Wis-
consin. In 1822, a large part of the tribe remaining, re-
moved to that territory, and the rest soon followed. There
they have made considerable advances in civilization, and
are in general sober and industrious.

Rev. John Sergeant was buried in the burial ground near
his last residence. The following epitaph was placed upon
the headstone that marks his grave :

" In Memory of
Rev, John Sergeant,

Missionary to the
Stockbridge Indians,

During 36 years.
He departed this life

Sept. 7th, 1824,

Aged 'j6 years.

Blessed is that servant who

his Lord when he cometh shall

find so doing."

MADISON COUNTY. 1 23

C HAPTER II

MADISON COUNTY.

Territorial Changes. — County of Tryon. — Montgomery and Her-
kimer.— Formation of Towns. — Formation of Chenango
County and of Madison. — Roads. — Canals. — Rail Roads.
— County Societies and Associations. — County proceed-
ings to 18 10. — County Courts. — Civil List. — Capital
trials and convictions, with a sketch of the life of Abram
Antone ; history of the murder committed by Lewis Wilber,
and by John Hadcock.

The State of New York was called by the Dutch, New
Netherlands, and as late as 1638, that portion of it lying
west of Fort Orange (Albany), was termed " Terra Incog-
nita" or Unknown Land.

For many years the territory of New Netherlands had
been a source of contention between the English and
Dutch, and in the year 1664, Charles II, King of England,
regardless of the rights of Holland, granted to his brother
James, Duke of Albany and York, the whole of New Nether-
lands, and then proceeded to conquer it by force of arms.
This was easily accomplished, as the inhabitants had
wearied of the stern military government of Peter Stuy vesant

The name of the colony and city was then changed
from New Netherlands to New York, and Fort Orange
changed to Albany.

The Dutch again reclaimed the territory in 1673, and
held it till the next year, when they finally surrendered it
to the English,

124 MADISON COUNTY.

There were some doubts as to the vaHdity of the patent
giving the Duke of York, and he accordingly obtained
another from the King.

Peace being restored with the Dutch, a rapid internal
growth soon commenced, and in the year 1683, the colony
was divided into twelve counties, one of which was Albany,
which embraced an indefinite portion of this " Terra Incog-
nita." Nearly a century elapsed before this county was
divided, though many changes had taken place in the more
southeastern part of the state.

In the year 1772, from the territory of Albany County,
Tryon was formed, which embraced all that part of the
State, west of a line running nearly north and south
through the present County of Scoharie, and was named
from William Tryon, Colonial Governor. In the Revolu-
tionary struggle, Tryon exhibited such unmistakable hos-
tility to the Americans, that the inhabitants of this county
were desirous of dispensing with a name thus rendered
obnoxious. Accordingly on the 2d of April, 1784, Legis-
lature changed the name of Tr}^on County to Montgomery,
in honor of the American General, Richard Montgomery,
who gallantly fell at Quebec.

By the same act, Montgomery County was divided into
five districts, named Mohawk, Canajoharrie, Palatine, Ger-
man Flats, and Kingsland.

By an act passed March 7, 1788, defining the bound-
aries of the several counties of the State, the County of
Montgomery was declared to contain all that part of the
State bounded easterly by the counties of Ulster, Albany,
Washington and Clinton ; southerly by the State of Penn-
sylvania ; and westerly and northerly by the west and
north bounds of the State. An act passed at the same
date, the German Flats District was divided, and the town
of Whites Town was formed from it. This town embraced
all that part of the State of New York, lying west of a
line drawn north and south across the State, crossing the

MADISON COUNTY. 1 25

Mohawk River at " Old Fort Schuyler," (Utica) and which
line was the western boundary of the towns of Herkimer,
German Flats and Otsego.

By an act passed March 22, 1788, the town of Chemung
was formed in and from a part of Montgomery County,
lying on the Owego and Tioga Rivers.

In 1789, the County of Montgomery was divided, and
all that part west of a line drawn north and south across
the State, through the Seneca Lake two miles east of
Geneva, was called Ontario County, and was extensively
known abroad as the " Genesee Country."

Feb. 16, 1 791, Montgomery County was divided, and the
Counties of Tioga, Otsego and Herkimer formed from its
territory, and the bounds of the County of Ontario changed.

The County of Herkimer, was bounded as follows : —
" All that tract of land bounded westerly by the County of
Ontario, northerly by the north bounds of this State, east-
erly by the Counties of Clinton, Washington and Saratoga,
and southerly by the Counties of Montgomery, Otsego
and Tioga." Within its domain lay our own county of
Madison.

By an act passed April 10, 179-^, the towns of Westmore-
land, Steuben, Paris, Mexico and Peru, were formed from
Whitestown. The west line of this town extended to the
west line of Madison County. The two towns, Paris and
Whitestown, embraced within their borders all of the pres-
ent County of Madison.

In the year 1795, Cazenoviawas formed from Whitestown
and Paris ; it embraced the present towns of Lenox, Sulli-
van, a part of Stockbridge, Smithfield, Fenner, Cazenovia,
Nelson, Georgetown and DeRuyter of this County, and
Lincklaen, Pitcher, Otselic and German of Chenango
County.

At the same time, Hamilton and Brookfield were formed
from Paris. Hamilton then embraced the present towns of

126 MADISON COUNTY.

Hamilton, Lebanon, Eaton and Madison. Brookfield in-
cluded the present towns of Brookfield and Columbus, (ex-
cept a portion annexed to Columbus in 1807,) Chenango
County.*

In the year 1794, the County of Onondaga was formed
from Herkimer, and in the year 1798, the County of Oneida
was also formed from its territory. An act of the same
date, March 15, 1798, the County of Chenango was set
apart from the southern part of Herkimer and northern part
of Tioga Counties. Chenango County then embraced all
the territory now occupied by the town of Sangerfield,
Oneida County, all of Madison County (except that part of
Stockbridge east of Oneida Creek), besides the towns of its
present territory, Sangerfield was annexed to Oneida in
1804.

By an act passed March 21, 1806, Madison County was
formed from Chenango. It was named in honor of Presi-
dent Madison.

Madison County, situated in central New York, is bound-
ed north by Oneida Lake and Oneida County ; east by
Oneida and Otsego Counties ; south by Chenango County,
and west by Cortland and Onondaga Counties. It contains
an area of six hundred and seventy square miles.

The surface is diversified and generally hilly, except in
the north part which is low, level and swampy. The high
ridge which divides the waters which flow north and south,
crosses this county. This water-shed gives a series of
ridges and valleys, with a general course north and south.
The hills generally have rounded outlines and steep de-
clivities, their highest summits being five hundred to
eight hundred feet above the valleys, and nine hundred to
twelve hundred feet above tide. The principal streams
upon the north slope are Chittenango Creek, forming a part
of the west boundary of the county, Oneida Creek, forming
a part of the east boundary, and the Canaseraga, Canastota

* For further accounts of the formation of towns, see chapters on the towns.

MADISON COUNTY. 12/

and Cowaselon Creeks ; and the principal ones flowing
south, are the Unadilla River upon the east border, Beaver
Creek, Chenango River and its branches, Otsehc Creek and
the Tioughneoga River. The principal bodies of water are
Oneida Lake, forming the north boundary, and Owahgena,
or Cazenovia Lake, near the center of the west border.
The latter is four miles Jong and nine hundred feet above
tide.

ROADS.

The opening ot various thoroughfares have exerted a
powerful influence upon the interests of this county. The
pioneer followed Indian trails, and branched off from these
into courses designated by marked trees. No path is better
remembered than the Great Trail which entered Madison
County at Oneida Castle, passed through Lenox by the
way of Wampsville and Quality Hill, through Sullivan by
Canaseraga and Chittenango, leaving the county at Deep
Spring.

The first road of the county was opened on this trail by
William and James Wadsworth, in the year 1790, on their
way to the Genesee country, where they planted a colony.
William Wadsworth, the leader of this company, left his
home in June, 1790, with an ox team and cart, two or three
hired men, and a favorite colored woman, Jenny, who was
for a long time the only one of her race in that region.
West of Whitesboro, Mr. Wadsworth was obliged to cut
away logs, build causeways through the sloughs, ford
streams, and when arriving at Cayuga Lake construct a
pontoon of two Indian canoes, lashed together and covered
with poles.

The State afterwards, in the years 1794 and 1795, made
an appropriation for the improvement of the road opened by
Mr. Wadsworth, and it was thereafter known as the Great
South Genesee Road, or State Road. In 1797, the State
passed a law authorizing the raising of forty-five thousand
dollars by lotteries, to be expended in improving various

128 MADISON COUNTY.

roads in the State, thirteen thousand nine hundred dollars
of which was appropriated for opening and improving the
Great Genesee Road, in all its extent, from Fort Schuyler
(Utica) to Geneva. In the Whitestown Gazette and Catds
Patrol, of August 27, 1798, published at Utica, appears the
following advertisement :

" New York State Road Lottery, No. i. Tickets sold
by John Post."

There was yet great need of improvement in this road,
and in the year 1800, the Seneca Turnpike Company was
chartered for the purpose of improving it. The capital
stock was one hundred and ten thousand dollars ; shares
fifty dollars each. Jedediah Sanger, Benjamin Walker,
Charles Williamson and Israel Chapin were appointed com-
missioners. The charter was amended in 1801, and the
commissioners were privileged to deviate from the old road.
They had resolved to straighten it and avoid the monstrous
Canaseraga Hill, as it was then called, which lay southwest
from Chittenango, and also the Onondaga Hill. They found
little opposition to the changes made from Westmoreland
to Chittenango, as there were but few white inhabitants on
the way, but at the latter place they were met by a large
delegation from Manliusand Onondaga, who feared the com-
missioners would select a more northern route. The settlers
on the northern route had not sufficient interest in the road
to send on their advocates, and consequently, by the aid of
a pretty fair ruse, those in favor of the southern, had it all
their own way. Being well acquainted with the country,
they proposed to pilot the commissioners over the most
suitable ground for the road. They first led them up the
ravine northwest of Chittenango, a mile and a half, when
they found themselves hemmed in on three sides by a per-
pendicular ledge of rocks more than a hundred feet high,
with no way of getting out but by backing out. With well
feigned sincerity, the guides explained this as a mistake, and
the commissioners were led over the next best suppbsable

MADISON COUNTY. 1 29

route, across this ravine along the great hill toward Harts-
ville and into one of the most dismal of all places, then dig-
nified by the very significant name of Gulf of Mexico, now
called the Basin, a place where the mountainous hights per-
mits the sun to make only short diurnal visits.

The forbidding aspect of the country all about them com-
pelled them to return to Chittenango the way they had
come. The weary commissioners resigned themselves to
the sophistry of those interested advocates ; the northern
r .ute was declared impracticable, and the Seneca Turnpike
was laid out over the hill passing the county line a short
distance above Deep Spring, where William Sayles kept
tavern in 1793, on through Manlius Square, Jamesville and
Onondaga Hollow. Not long afterwards the company
learned they had not availed themselves of the most favor-
able route. They solicited an amendment to the charter
which was granted in 1806. They were now enabled to
build a new road from Chittenango, through the Onondaga
Reservation near the Salt Springs, to Cayuga Bridge, and
fifty thousand dollars was added to the capital stock.

This was now the " Great Genesee Turnpike," a name as
familiar as household words to the dwellers of Madison
County and the famous Holland Purchase, then the " Great
West " of this State,

The first United States Mail through this county was
carried by a Mr. Langdon, from Whitestown to Genesee, on
horseback, in 1797 or '98, who distributed papers and un-
sealed letters by the way, before intermediate offices were
established. Mr. Lucas succeeded Mr. Langdon in trans-
porting the mail, which, in 1 800, had become so heavy as to
require a wagon to carry it. Mr. Lucas established a
sort of two horse passenger hack, and did a brisk and profit-
able business. The first four horse mail coach was sent
through once a week, by Jason Parker, in 1803, and in 1804
commenced running regularly, twice a week, from Utica to
Canandaigua, carrying the United States mail and passen-

130 MADISON COUNTY,

gers. In 1804, an act was passed, granting to Jason Parker
and Levi Stephens, the exclusive right for seven years, of
running a Hne of stages for the conveyance of passengers at
least twice a week, along the Genesee Road or Seneca
Turnpike, between the villages of Utica and Canandaigua.
They were bound to furnish four good and substantial cov-
ered wagons or sleighs, and sufficient horses to run the
same ; the fare not to exceed five cents per mile for each
passenger, with fourteen pounds of baggage. They were,
by law, bound to run through in forty-eight hours, acci-
dents excepted, and not more than seven passengers were
allowed in any one carriage, except by the unanimous con-
sent of the said seven passengers ; and, if four passengers
above the seven, applied for passage, they were bound to im-
mediately fit out and start an extra for their accommoda-
tion ; or any number less than four should be accommodated
by paying the fare of four.

In 1808, a daily line was established, and afterwards sev-
eral others, which were continued until the completion of
the Syracuse and Utica Railroad.

Before 1804, the Peterboro Turnpike, which extended
from Vernon through Peterboro to Cazenovia, was con-
structed. This opened facilities for travel and marketing
for the second tier of towns. In 1803, the Cherry Valley
Turnpike Company was chartered, and the " Third Great
Western Turnpike " was constructed. It extended from
Cherry Valley to Manlius, passing through the towns of
Madison, Eaton, Nelson and Cazenovia. It has been of
incalculable value, in opening away whereby the exports of
a wide and cultivated region of country have found trans-
portation. The Hamilton and Skaneateles Turnpike,
built a few years later, formed another in the series of roads,
which have been sources of wealth to the towns through
which they passed. This Turnpike was commenced
in 1811, running from Plainfield, Otsego county, through

MADISON COUNTY,

131

Brookfield, Hamilton, Eaton, Erieville and New Woodstock
to Skaneateles.

Joseph Morse, of Eaton, took more interest in this road
than any other one man. He had at one time thirty thous-
and dollars of stock in the road, and but for him it would
never have been built. His son Ellis Morse, was also
largely concerned in the enterprise. It was a source of
benefit to the town but not to the stockholders.

THE ERIE CANAL.

The project of uniting the Western Lakes with the Hud-
son River, thus forming a chain of internal navigation, was
a subject of much agitation as early as 1812. Years before,
the idea was cherished by individuals. Governeur Morris
broached the subject as early as 18 12, but it was considered
a chimerical idea. In 1804, Simeon De Witt, in a conver-
sation with Mr. Geddes, mentioned Mr. Morris' plan as one
of the impracticable schemes. Mr. Geddes, who was a
land surveyor in Onondaga county, viewed the matter in a
different light, and counseled with Jesse Hawley upon the
subject. The latter wrote a series of papers published in
the Genesee Messenger, from October, 1807, to March, 1808.
These essays were signed " Hercules," and were the first
ever printed in favor of the Erie Canal.

In 1808, Joshua Foreman, an intimate associate of Mr.
Geddes, then a Member of Assembly, introduced a resolu-
tion for the survey of the canal route, to the end that Con-
gress might be led to grant moneys for the construction of
a canal. The sum of six hundred dollars was granted for
surveys, under the direction of the Surveyor General.
James Geddes was intrusted with this service, which em-
braced the surveying of several routes. He performed his
work, and made a report which excited general attention,
and secured the influence of De Witt Clinton, then a mem-
ber of the Senate, and many other prominent men.

In 1 8 10, commissioners, at the head of whom was De

132 MADISON COUNTY.

Witt Clinton, were appointed to explore a canal route
through the centre of the State.

The report of the commissioners induced the Govern-
ment to authorize appropriations, when the war of 1812
suspended all active operations. The project, however, con-
tinued to be discussed, and an Act was passed the 17th of
April, 1 8 16, providing for a definite survey.

The canal was begun at Rome, July 4th, 181 7, and in the
autumn of 1825, was completed. Its completion was cele-
brated with great ceremony at New York City, and at many
points throughout the State, on the 4th day of November,
1825. As the first boat, with Governor Clinton on board,
entered the canal at Buffalo, October 26, at ten o'clock in
the morning, a line of cannon, previously arranged a few
miles apart, passed a signal along to Albany and down the
Hudson to Sandy Hook, from whence it was returned in
like manner. The signal was heard at New York at eleven
o'clock twenty minutes. The flotilla, with the Governor, was
everywhere greeted with enthusiasm. Upon reaching New
York the boat passed down to Sandy Hook, and the waters
of the lake were mingled with those of the ocean with im-
posing ceremonies.

The canal commissioners, under whom the Erie and also
the Champlain canals were constructed, were Stephen Van
Renssellaer, De Witt Clinton, Joseph Ellicott, Samuel
Young, and Myron Holley. Henry Seymour was appoint-
ed in place of Ellicott in March, 18 19, and William C,
Bouck was added to the number in March, 1821. The chief
engineers were James Geddes, of Onondaga County, and
Benjamin Wright, of Rome. Among the assistant engi-
neers were David Thomas, Nathan S. Roberts, David S.
Bates, Canvass White, Davis Hurd, Noah Dennis, Charles
T. Whippo, William Jerome, Henry G. Sargent, Frederic
C. Mills, Isaac J. Thomas, Henry Farnham, Alfred Barrett,
John Bates, William H. Price, John Hopkins, and Seymour
Skiff. The original cost of the canal was $7,143,789.89.

MADISON COUNTY. 1 33

The first packet on the canal was run when but the sec-
tion from Utica to Montezuma was completed. It was the
" Oneida Chief," George Perry, Captain. Perry was a
Sullivan citizen. In 1820, a line of packets was established
between Utica and Montezuma, and large amounts of mer-
chandise found its way east by this line. A new era com-
menced for northern Madison County, for new resorces
were developed and new enterprises sprung into life with
the opening of the canal. The old form of transportation
with long Hues of heavily loaded teams, to Albany, ceased
to be. For years, a transportation line owned by H. H.
Cobb of Chittenango, was plying between Albany and
Fayetteville, Onondaga County. The boats on this line were
the Andrew Jackson, George Washington, Victory, Yates,
Cazenovia, Commerce and Chittenango. H. H. Cobb also
dealt largely in forwarding, owned several warehouses, and
employed a large number of workmen.

An enlargement of the Erie Canal was ordered in 1835,
and for many years was under operation. In many places
its route was changed ; at one point in the town of Sulli-
van north of Chittenango, a considerable alteration is notice-
able. These changes are calculated to shorten the route
and reduce the number of locks. Its section gives a
breadth of seventy feet at the surface of the water, and
fifty-two and one-half feet at the bottom, and a depth of
seven feet. The banks are protected from washing by
slope walls, consisting of stone firmly packed upon the
sloping sides. Boats of two hundred and two hundred and
fifty tons burden can traverse this canal. It is fed from the
south by the seven reservoirs of the Chenango canal, (that
canal being the feeder,) by Cazenovia Lake, Erieville Res-
ervoir and De Ruyter Reservoir, all in Madison County ;
and Skaneateles Lake of Onondaga County.

The Chenango Canal, connecting the Erie canal at Utica
with the Susquehanna River at Binghamton, was chartered
Feb. 3, 1833. The project of building' this canal had been

134 MADISON COUNTY.

discussed since 1826. Governor Bouck was an uncompro-
mising friend of the measure. Henry Seymour, Rufus
Bacon, James B. Eldridge, John G. Stower, Sands Hig-
inbothan, Moses Maynard, Lot Clark, Julius Pond and
Thomas Wylie, men who were widely known and influen-
tial throughout Central New York, were advocates of the
Chenango Canal. The work was begun in 1833 and
finished in 1836, at an aggregate cost of ^1,737,703. The
canal is supplied by Chenango River, and seven Res-
ervoirs which lie in the south and east part of Madison
County, viz : — Madison Brook Reservoir, Woodman's Lake,
Leland's Pond, Bradley's Brook Reservoir, Hatch's Lake,
Eaton Brook and Lebanon Reservoirs. It extends
to, and up the valley of the Oriskany Creek to the summit
level in the town of Madison, and down the valley of the
Chenango River. From Utica to the summit, it rises
seven hundred and six feet by seventy-six locks, and from
thence it descends three hundred and three feet by thirty-
eight locks to the Susquehanna. It is ninty-seven miles
long. Of its one hundred and fourteen locks, two are stone
and the remainder composite.*

The Syracuse and Utica Railroad superseded the old
Seneca Turnpike, and robbed it of its passenger travel, as
the Erie Canal had of its freight, years before. Neverthe-
less, the improvement was ardently desired and advanced
by men of influence in the northern part of the county.
A company was formed May 11, 1836, with a capital
of ^100,000. Work commenced immediately, and
the road was completed and opened in 1839; ^^ then
made connections with the Utica and Schenectady
road on the east, and with the Syracuse and Auburn road
on the west. This was an independent road till 1853, when
the New York Central Rail Road Company was formed, by
consolidating the several roads in operation along the line.

* N. Y. S. Gazetteer of 1860, p. 60.

MADISON COUNTY. 1 35

The stations of the Central in this county, are Oneida,
Wampsville, Canastota, Canaseraga, and Chittenango.

PLANK ROADS.

Facilities for the increase of travel were demanded as the
county increased its exports, and consequently plank roads
found great favor with the people. Between the years 1848
and '52, the enterprise had crossed and recrossed the county
with a net work of plank highways. Around and over hills
and rough places, transportation was made easy by level-
ing, and grading, and laying of plank. In 1848, a plank road
was constructed from Hamilton to Utica ; another connect-
ed Hamilton, Madison and Oriskany in 1850; in the same
year Georgetown and Pecksport were united by a road pass-
ing through "West Eaton and Eaton. During the year
185 1, a plank road was laid from Morrisville to Canastota,
and another from Peterboro to Clarksville was in progress.
A very principal plank road extended from DeRuyter to
Oneida Lake, through New Woodstock, Cazenovia, Chit-
tenango and its depots, a distance of thirty-one miles. It
was completed at great cost, as a portion of it passed the
difficult descent at Chittenango Falls, which required ex-
pensive grading. The hill of eight hundred feet in hight
was made an easy grade of no more than six feet rise to the
hundred.

Although plank roads seemed to be but temporary bless-
ings, yet an unlooked for benefit has resulted therefrom.
The people could not content themselves to travel on any-
thing so bad as the old roads, and as fast as the planks disap-
peared, they continued to improve them in various ways, which
results in fairer roads than even those of plank. The mac-
adamized, or stone road from Morrisville through Peterboro
to Canastota, is one of superior excellence. That which
superseded the plank road from Cazenovia to Lakeport, is
a grand improvement, having a better route, and a broad,
handsome road bed of stone, extending to Lakeport through
the marshy " Vly " where the plank so speedily rotted away.

136 MADISON COUNTY. "'[

RAILROADS.

The Midland.- A grand Midland Railway to extend
from Oswego to New York City, crossing the central coun-
ties of the State, was projected in 1867. Its line was laid
through Madison County, crossing the towns of Lenox,
Stockbridge, Eaton, Lebanon and Hamilton. These towns
bonded heavily to help build the road. The road was car-
ried through some of the most inaccessible portions ol
this county. The first Board of Directors were : Hon.
D. C. Littlejohn of Oswego, President ; Wm. Foster of
Cleaveland, Oswego county, De Witt C. Stephens of Onei-
da, J. W. Merchant of De Ruyter, John A. Rundell and
Edward T. Hayes of Norwich, Dr. H. E. Bartlett of Wal-
ton, A. C. Edgarton of Delhi, Delaware county, Edward
Palen of Fallsburgh, Hon. H. R. Low of Monticello, E.
P. Wheeler of Middletown, Waldo Hutchins of New
York City. Walter M, Conkey of Norwich, Treasurer ;
B. Gage Berry of Norwich, Secretary ; Wm. B. Gilbert,
Chief Engineer.

The first passenger train on the Midland was run on the
29th day of August, 1869. It was drawn by engine " 4,"
the " Delaware," Edwin Williams, Engineer, and Jas. T.
Purdy, Conductor, It was run from West Monroe to
Oneida the 29th and 30th, for the purpose of bringing in
hop-pickers.

The line was opened through Madison county during the
year 1870. Notwithstanding the numerous railroads re-
cently constructed through this county, transportation and
travel continues to increase on the Midland.

The Cazenovia and Canastota, passing from Caze-
novia to Canastota, through the town of Fenner, was an
undertaking projected and carried out, by a company com-
posed of individuals residing in those towns. It was a
stupendous project, the carrying of a railroad through an
extremely rugged country, by the efforts of a few individ-
uals, assisted by the bonding of the three towns. It was com-

MADISON COUNTY. 1 3/

menced in 1867, and completed in 1870. Its first directors
were : Benj. F. Jarvis, Charles Brown, Lewison Fairchild,
O. W. Sage, Chas. Stebbins, jr., and George L. Rouse of
Cazenovia ; Dr. Theodore Mead and John Wilson of Fen-
ner ; Charles Stroud, John Montross, Thomas N. Jarvis,
Perkins Clark and Ralph H. Avery of Canastota.

This year, 1872, the Cazenovia and Canastota Railroad
is being extended to De Ruyter.

The Utica, Chenango and Susquehanna Valley,
which passes through the eastern part of this county, was
built in 1868-9. It is a road of immense advantage to sec-
tions of Brookfield and eastern Hamilton.

The Utica, Clinton and Chenango Valley was com-
pleted to the Midland at Smith's Valley, in Lebanon, in
1870. It passes through the towns of Madison and Hamil-
ton, in this county. The first travel on this road from this
county, of any note, was in the autumn of 1870, when an
immense concourse were conveyed to the State Fair then
being held in Utica.

The Auburn Branch of the Midland, was completed to
Norwich in 1871. This passes through De Ruyter and a
part of Georgetown.

The Syracuse and Chenango Valley, passing through
this county, is in the course of construction, and the close of
1872 will probably find it completed. It will be of vast im-
portance to a large section of country hitherto inland. Its
route is directed through Cazenovia, (where there is a tun-
nel of 1,600 feet in length,) Nelson, Georgetown and Leba-
non, reaching the Midland at Earlville.

county societies.

Madison County Agricultural Society, was organ-
ized September i, 1841. J. D. Ledyard of Cazenovia,
was chosen first President ; Elijah Morse of Eaton, H. G.
Warner of Sullivan, J. H. Dunbar of East Hamilton, Vice
Presidents ; Alexander Krumbhaar of Cazenovia, Corres-

138 MADISON COUNTY.

ponding Secretary ; A. S. Sloan of Eaton, Recording Sec-
retary ; Uriah Leland of Eaton, Treasurer, For several
years the society held fairs in various sections of the county,
and the annual gatherings were places of interest to those
concerned in the development of agriculture and the im-
provement of stock. Since the time' of its formation, after
its first officers, the following named gentlemen have pre-
sided, and zealously promoted the agricultural interests of
the county: 1842 and '43, George B. Rowe, Lenox ; 1844
and '45, Seneca B. Burchard, Eaton; 1846 and '47, John
Williams, Cazenovia ; 1848 and '49, Benjamin Enos, De-
Ruyter ; 1850, Lewis Raynor, Cazenovia; 185 1, James H,
Dunbar, Hamilton ; 1852, Elijah Morse, Eaton. In 1853,
the society leased grounds in Morrisville where the annual
fairs were held during the rest of its existence. The an-
nual reports of the society furnish the names of many who
have in its early days been interested in the farmers' pro-
gress in this county. Among those are Curtis Hoppin, in
bringing in the first flock of sheep. General Cleaveland,
Col. Lincklaen, Messrs. Whitman and Douglass of Sullivan,
who improved the breed of cows, and John B. Yates, that of
horses. Also the following in the various departments of
stock raising have invited progress : Mr. Ward of Wamps-
ville, Mr. Beaumont of Eaton, Mr. Burchard of Madison,
Mr. David Osgood of Hamilton, Mr. Muir of Hamilton,
Sanford P, Chapman of Clockville, Amos Scott of Brook-
field, Judge Enos, Mr. Gage and Mr. Merchant of DeRuy-
ter, Mr, George T. Taylor and Mr. Leonard Howes of Mad-
ison, Mr. Gilbert of Hamilton, Col. C. D. Miller of Peter-
boro, Mr. Ackley of Hamilton and Ellis Morse of Eaton,

So great was the interest in the different towns, that these
were induced to organize town societies. The Brookfield
Agricultural Society was organized in 1856; Canaseraga
Agricultural and Mechanical Society was organized in 1858 ;
Lebanon Agricultural Society, formed 1856; Hamilton
Agricultural and Horticultural Association, formed 1857;

MADISON COUNTY. 1 39

Farmers' and Mechanics' Association of Fenner, formed

1857 ; Nelson Farmers' and Mechanics' Association, formed

1858 ; Farmers' and Mechanics' Association of Cazenovia,
formed 1859; and the more recent Agricultural and Me-
chanical Association of Lenox.

Madison County Medical Society. — On the 29th day
of July, 1806, the following eighteen persons met in Sulli-
van to organize the Madison County Medical Society, viz :
Israel Farrell, Jonas Fay, James Moore, James Pratt, John
D. Henry, John Dorrance, Jonathan Pratt, Wm, P. Cleave-
land, Elijah Putnam, Elijah Pratt, Thomas Greenly, Amos
S. Amsden, Constant Merrick, Stephen Percival, Zadoc
Parker, Rufus Holton, Asa B. Sizer, Asahel Prior.

First President, Israel Farrell ; Vice President, Jonas Fay ;
Secretary, Elijah Pratt.

This was an active, efficient body, striving to elevate the
medical profession, working in harmony with the reforms of
the day, and as early as 1830, so far gave its influence to the
temperance cause, as to pass resolutions in one of their
meetings, denouncing the use of intoxicating liquors as a
beverage, discountenancing the traffic, and dispensing with
its use in the medical practice, as far as was possible. This
Society has continued its regular meetings up to this day.

Present officers are : President, A. L. Saunders ; Vice
President, Dr. H. W. Carpenter ; Secretary, Dr. D. D.
Chase ; Treasurer, .

Madison County Auxiliary Bible Society, was formed
October, 18 16. From that date to the present it has con-
tinued its sittings, faithfully prosecuting its humanitarian
labors and christianizing the people. It is to be regretted
that we have not the names of those who originated a so-
ciety which has so long benefited our county. Its dona-
tions have been up to 1858, 1^5,701.51. Remittances for
Bibles, $6,814.87.

The Madison Baptist Association, was organized in
the year 1808. There was then several Baptist Churches

140 MADISON COUNTY.

in Madison County, mostly belonging to the Otsego Asso-
ciation. The needs of the new country and the increasing
number of churches, led to a Conference held in Cazenovia
October 15, 1806, by delegates from sixteen churches, with
reference to forming another Association. August 26,
1807, the 2d Brookfield, Cazenovia, De Ruyter, Eaton,
Fabius, German, Hamilton, Homer, Lisle, Madison, Man-
lius, Nelson, ist Pompey, 2d Pompey, Smithfield, Sherburne,
Sangerfield and Truxton churches, met by delegates in
Conference, in Pompey. The Revs. Vining, Robertson
and Spencer, came as delegates from the Otsego Associa-
tion. To the new body then formed they gave the name
of " The Madison Baptist Association," which was duly
recognized at its first anniversary held in German, now
Pitcher, Chenango Co., August 31, and September i, 1808.
An unbroken series of minutes from that time to the pres-
ent shows its changes, labors and success.

Much was done by supplying destitute churches within
its bounds with preaching, and considerable missionary
work was done in northern and western New York by
John Peck, Elisha Ransom, Joel Butler, Alfred Ben-
nett, Ashbel Hosmer, John Lawton, Nathan Baker and
Hezekiah Eastman. In 181 5, a Missionary Society was
formed within the bounds of the Association, auxiliary to
the Baptist Board of Foreign Missions. The Hamilton
Literary and Theological Seminary, now more generally
called Madison University, has also risen within the bounds
of this Association, and through the influence of the
beloved Hascall and Kendrick, it was wedded to the
churches, and the churches to it. Within the last thirty-
five years, fourteen Baptist brethren and sisters, belonging
to this county, have become foreign missionaries.
Through all the pioneer service, men and women have not
been wanting, who were capable and willing to endure
hardship as good soldiers of Jesus Christ — brave and
decided servants of God, who were not afraid to do their

MADISON COUNTY, I4I

duty. Proofs are on record that the evangelical efiforts of
those early days were efficiently aided by the sisters ;
" many a Deborah arose a mother in Israel ; many a be-
loved Persis labored much in the Lord ; many a Phebe
served the church, and many a Mary bestowed much
labor on Christ's weary ministers."

The Semi-Centennial Anniversary Meeting was held in
Cazenovia Village, September 8 and 9, 1858.

This Association has of late years combined with its
meetings, the Madison Baptist Sabbath School Association.
The two, form a society whose annual and semi-annual
meetings held at different points, are full of interest.

The Madison Colonization Society, was organized
June 8, 1830. Its first officers were Dr. Nathaniel Ken-
drick, President ; C. S. Jackson and Gerritt Smith, Vice-
Presidents ; Rev. E. White, Secretary ; Epenetes Holmes,
Treasurer ; Stephen F, Blackstone, Rev. Daniel Hascall,
Edward Lewis, Rev. T. Mills and Prof Barnas Sears,
Managers. The society had for its object the gradual
emancipation of slaves, (to the end that slavery might be
extinguished,) and their return to Africa effected by the
planting of colonies. The Liberia colony was the work of
the Colonization Society of the United States. Madison
County Colonization Society was merged into the Madison
County Anti-Slavery Society in 1835.

A County Temperance Society was in existence
between the years 1825 and '35. Andrew Yates, Nathaniel
Kendrick, Samuel T. Mills and Gerrit Smith, were its
leaders.

The Madison County Homoeopathic Medical
Society, was organized at Morrisville, July 4, 1865.
President, Dr, D. D. Loomis, Morrisville ; Vice-President,
Dr. Ira C. Owen, Sherburne ; Secretary and Treasurer,
Dr Geo. B. Palmer, Hamilton ; Censors, Drs. E. A. Wal-
lace, G. L. Gifford, and Geo. B. Palmer.

142 MADISON COUNTY.

Madison County Lodge I. O. of G. T., is a secret tem-
perance organization, having for its object the promotion of to-
tal abstinence, the reformation of inebriates, the suppression
of the sale of intoxicating drinks, and in all ways, promoting
the interests of temperance.

The Association first met May 14th, 1868, at Oneida,
where the Articles of the Association were drafted. Quar-
terly meetings were held with the subordinate lodges in
different towns.

Madison County Lodge was formally organized May
13th, 1869, (said meeting being held at Nelson Flats,) in
accordance with the Constitution of the Grand Lodge of
New York, and the Constitution and By-Laws drafted for
the County Lodge were adopted.

Henry Brown of Brookfield, was its first C. C. T ; L. E.
Bonney of Georgetown, P. C. C. T. ; C. W, Hatch of New
Woodstock, C. S. William Girvin of Oneida, was elected
C. C. T. for the year 1870, and has continued in that office
since ; Mrs. L. M. Hammond of Eaton, C. S., in 1871, was
succeeded by J. H. Messenger of Madison, in 1872 ; Rev.
B. W. Hamilton was appointed C. D. in 1870, and has con-
tinued in that office since. There are fourteen good, work-
ing subordinate Lodges in the County, over which this
Lodge has supervision, namely : Oneida Chief, Oneida ;
Alert, Canastota ; Owahgena, Cazenovia ; Morning Light,
New Woodstock ; Clockville ; Madison ; South Brookfield ;
West Eaton ; Chittenango; Nelson Flats; Perryville; Brook--
field Central, Clarksville ; Poolville; Dundee, Oneida Valley.

Madison County Musical Society, was organized about
1830, having for its object, improvement in sacred music.
The public meetings of the Society, held at different points
in the county, were addressed by eminent speakers, and the
popularity of their concerts drew large and enthusiastic
audiences. The name of S. Glidden was popular among
them as a leader and teacher of vocal music. From among
the ofiicers who served in this society we give the follow-

MADISON COUNTY. I43

ing names : Dr. Onisimus Mead, Nelson ; Roswell Thomp-
son, Eaton ; Eli Buell, Hamilton ; Wm. L. Palmer, Lenox ;
Dr. John Putnam, Madison ; Hiram C. Paddock, Fenner ;
Oren Stephens, Smithfield ; Elijah Buell, Lebanon ; Alfred
Goodrich, Cazenovia ; Gurdon Hall, Georgetown ; Moses
Parmlee, Sullivan ; Hosea Clark, Brookfield ; Thomas C.
Nye, De Ruyter. ,

To the above names is added Alexander Simpson of
Eaton.

The recent County Musical Associations are a revival of
the same spirit in the sons and daughters of the old mu-
sicians of Madison County.

Madison County Union Sabbath School Association
was organized September 26th, 1866. Years previous there
had been a Sabbath School Union Society, which had an ex-
istence of several years' duration. This sowed the seed
which blossomed in the present organization. First officers
of the present Association, James Barnett, Peterboro, Pres-
ident ; Frank Phelps, Cazenovia ; James Walrath, Chitte-
nango ; Rev. D. McFarland, Oneida, and Rev. M. S. Hard,
Morrisville, Vice Presidents ; C. D. Rose, Hamilton, Re-
cording Secretary ; L. P. Clark, Morrisville, Corresponding
Secretary ; Jonathan Wells, Morrisville, Treasurer.

The present officers are : J. D. Avery, Hamilton, Presi-
dent ; Rev. B. W. Hamilton, Canastota, Recording Secre-
tary.

MADISON county PROCEEDINGS FROM I 8o6 TO I 8 10.

At the first general election held in and for the county
of Madison, Erastus Cleaveland of Madison, and Sylvanus
Smalley of Sullivan, were elected Members of Assembly
over Jonathan Morgan of Brookfield, and John W. Bulkley
of Hamilton.

The first county officers, including Justices of the Peace,
were appointed by the " Council of Appointments," and
were as follows : —

144 MADISON COUNTY.

Cotunoii Picas Judges. — S)'lvanus Smalley, Sullivan ;
Peter Smith of Peterboro ; Edward Green of Brookfield ;
Elisha Payne of Hamilton ; David Cook of Sullivan.

Sheriff — Jeremiah Whipple, Cazenovia.

Under Sheriff — Levi Love, Hamilton.

County Clerk — Asa B. Sizer, Hamilton.

Deputy Clerk — Samuel Sizer, jr., Hamilton.

Surrogate — Thomas H. Hubbard, Hamilton.

Coroner — Jabish N. M. Hurd, Cazenovia.

At this time there were only five towns in Madison
county, viz : — Brookfield, Cazenovia, De Ruyter, Hamilton
and Sullivan. The justices appointed for these towns
were : —

Oliver Brown, Daniel Maine, Henry Clark, jr., Jonathan
Morgan, Samuel Marsh and Edward Green, Brookfield ; Da-
vid Tuthill, Samuel S. Breese, Phineas Southwell, Perry G.
Childs, Elisha Williams, Daniel Petrie, William Powers and
Joshua Hamlin, Cazenovia ; Eli Gage, Hubbard Smith and
Eleazer Hunt, De Ruyter ; Joseph Morse, Simeon Gillett,
Benjamin Pierce, Erastus Cleaveland, Elisha Payne, Amos
Maynard, Russell Barker, Geo. Crane, Winsor Coomar (now
spelled Coman), Hamilton ; Gilbert Caswell, Samuel Foster,
Walter Beecher, Joseph Frost, Sylvanus Smalley, Peter
Smith, David Cook, William Hallock, James Campbell and
Joseph Yeaw, of Sullivan.

The first deed recorded in the Madison County Clerk's
office, was from John Lincklaen of Cazenovia, and Gerrit
Boon, " formerly of Oneida County," to Elisha Farnham of
Cazenovia. The deed is dated April 5, 1806 ; acknow-
ledged I\Iay 5, 1806, before Perry G. Childs, Esq., Master
in Chancery, and w^as recorded on the 7th of May, 1806.
The premises conveyed were about 54 acres of lot P. S. ot
the 4th Allotment of New Petersburg, lying in the very
heart of the present village of Cazenovia, and yet the con-
sideration was but $648.

MADISON COUNTY. I45

The first supervisors^ were : Stephen Hoxie, Brookfield ;
Lemuel Kingsbury, Cazenovia ; Jeremiah Gage, DeRuy-
ter ; Erastus Cleaveland, Hamilton, and Jacob Patrick, Sul-
livan.

A Brigade had been formed in the county, under the
command of General Jonathan Foreman.

Among the Military officers in commission, in 1806, were
Capt. Noyes Palmer, (afterwards Major-General) ; Capt.
David Matthews of Sullivan ; Lieut. Ethan Clark of Leon-
ardsville ; Ensign Oliver Clark of Lenox ; Ensign Peter
Chappell of Hamilton, who were living a few years since.
There were also Lieut. Oliver Babcock, and Adj't Phineas
Babcock of Clarksville, brothers, who died in 1854.

In 1807, several new towns were formed, and the list
gives Brookfield, Cazenovia, DeRuyter, Eaton, Hamilton,
Lebanon, Madison, Nelson, Smithfield and Sullivan, — ten
instead of five towns.

The two political parties of 1807, were Federals and Re-
publicans (Democrats), and between them there was a
desperate struggle for victory, it being supposed that the
result of the election would fix the future political com-
plexion of the county. That year, Sylvanus Smalley, Dem-
ocrat, and John W. Bulkley, Federalist, were elected to
Assembly, making it a drawn battle. Peter Smith was ap-
pointed First Judge of the Court of Common Pleas, and
Oliver Brown appointed Common Pleas Judge in the place
of Judge Cook.

Judges Smith and Brown were both decided Federalists,
and warm supporters of Governor Lewis in opposition to
Daniel D. Tompkins, and were doubtless appointed in con-
sideration of their political services, yet at that period, the
judiciary when once appointed, were comparatively free
from political influences.

Henry Clark, jr., Brookfield ; Elisha Williams, Cazeno-
via ; Robert Avery, Eaton ; John Hall, Hamilton ; John
J

146 MADISON COUNTY.

W. Bulkley, Lebanon ; Amos W. Fuller and Stephen F,
T ackstone, Madison ; John Dorrance, Asa Dana and San-
ford G. Calvin, Smithfield, and Jacob Patrick, Sullivan, were
appointed Justices of the Peace for the year 1807.

The Military Commissions were as follows : Nathaniel
King of Hamilton, Brigadier General ; Zebulon Douglass
of Sullivan and Nathaniel Collins, Lieutenant Colonels ;
Amos Maynard and Erastus Cleaveland of Madison, Majors ;
Daniel Petrie of Smithfield, William Hallock of Sullivan,
Jacob Balcom, Nathan Crandall and Gaylord Stevens, Cap-
tains ; Daniel Olin, Roswell Hutchins, Ambrose Andrews,
Timothy Brown, Nicholas Woolaver, Benjamin Wilber, Seth
Miner, Charles Huntington, William Bradley, Jabez Lyon,
Daniel Jones, Stephen Lee, Samuel Rawson, Asa Randall,
Oliver Clark and Sylvester Clark, Lieutenants ; Pardon
Barnard, Martin Lamb, William Abercrombie, Gilbert Reed,
Albert Beecher, Jonathan Nye, John Chambers, Elihu
Foote, Stephen Clark, jr., and Thomas Wylie, Ensigns ;
M ses H. Cook, Adjutant ; Asahel Prior, Surgeon.

The election of 1808, gave Sylvanus Smalley the place of
State Senator, and Daniel Van Home, John W. Bulkley
and Oliver Brown a seat in the Assembly. The State
" Council of Appointments," being Democratic at this period,
placed in office the following for this County :

yudges of the Court of Common Pleas: — Erastus Cleave-
land of Madison, and Hubbard Smith of DeRuyter.

Justices of the Peace: — David Waterman, Brookfield ;
Elisha Farnham, Samuel Ackley and William Card, Caze-
novia ; Daniel Alvord and Josiah Purdy, DeRuyter ; John
Pratt, Eaton ; Daniel Smith and Eleazer Sweatland, Ham-
ilton ; Amos Maynard, Amos Burton and Gilbert Stebbins,
Madison ; Isaac Bumpus, Ebenezer Lyon and David Wel-
lington, Nelson ; Daniel M. Gillett, Wright Brigham, David
Tuttle, Thomas Dibble and Joshua Hamlin, Smithfield ;
John Lee and John Knowles, Sullivan.

MADISON COUNTY.

147

It is believed that the following persons were Supervisors
for the year 1808 : Jonathan Morgan, Brookfield ; Elipha-
let S. Jackson, Cazenovia ; Eli Gage, DeRuyter ; David
Gaston, Eaton ; Reuben Ransom, Hamilton ; John W.
Bulkley, Lebanon ; Erastus Cleaveland, Madison ; Ebenezer
Lyon, Nelson : Asa Dana, Smithfield ; Jacob Patrick, Sul-
livan.

Congress had, in the year 1808, placed an embargo upon
all American shipping. This bore hard upon the northern
and middle States, particularly upon the State of New York,
which, at that period, was the greatest grain producing
State of the Union, by preventing the exportation of her
surplus grain. The Federalists denounced the embargo,
and in the State election of April, 1809, this party
succeeded in both County aad State. For this county,
Daniel Van Home, John W. Bulkley and Amos B. Fuller,
Federalists, were elected to Assembly by a large majority.
But the incumbent "Council uf Appointments" was con-
tinued through the year, and which, being nearly all Dem-
ocrats, only the following apj ointments were made for this
year :

Samuel Marsh, Brookfield, Judge of Common Pleas ;
Dennison Palmer, Brookfield, Coroner.

Justices of the Peace: — Samuel Livermore, Charles L.
Usher and Samuel Marsh, Brookfield ; Philip Wager, Ros-
well Harrison and Chauncey Butler, Sullivan.

Sylvanus Beckwith of Hamilton, was appointed a Lieu-
tenant, and Zenas Nash and Rufus Skeel of Hamilton, En-
signs.

In February, 18 10, the Council of Appointments was
again changed, and being composed of a majority of Fed-
eralists, the following appointments were made for this
county :

Common Pleas Judges. — Oliver Brown of Brookfield,
Stephen ¥. Blackstone of Madison, Jeremiah Gage of

148 MADISON COUNTY.

DeRuyter, and James Green, in place of Judges Smalley,
Cleaveland, Edward Green and Hubbard Smith, removed.

Sheriff. — William Hatch, in place of Jeremiah Whipple.

Coroners. — Samuel Woods jr., Madison ; Myndert Wemple,
Sullivan ; John D. Blish, Hamilton, and Daniel Russell,
DeRuyter.

jfusticcs of the Peace. — Ezra Sexton, James McElwain,
Daniel Watson and William Russell, DeRuyter ; Robert
Henry and James Pratt, Eaton ; Ezra Fuller and Erastus
Daniels, Hamilton ; John Sheldon, Josiah Lasell and Elisha
Wheeler, Labanon ; Nathaniel Hall and Ichabod S.
Spencer, Lenox ; Levi Morton and Seth Blair, Madison ;
David Cook, Asa Dana and Nehemiah Huntington, Smith-
field ; David Beecher of Sullivan.

Thus the reader obtains a glimpse of the management of
civil affairs under the first constitution, when the cele-
brated " Council of Appointments," controlled in so many
departments.

The various changes made, and the selection of men by
the people of our county, may be seen in the following
civil list : —

CIVIL LIST,

yudges of Madison County Courts.

First, Judge Peter Smith, Peterboro, appointed June 10. 1807.
Served till 1821.

Judge, Justin Dwinnell, Cazenovia, appointed Feb. 7, 1823
" James B. Eldridge, Hamilton, " Mar. 16, 1833
" John B. Yates, Chittenango, " Mar. 16, 1836

" Thomas Barlow, Canastota, " Jan. 24, 1843

" James W. Nye, Hamilton, " June. — 1847

" Sidney T. Holmes, Morrisville, " Nov. — 185 i

" Joseph Mason, Hamilton, " Nov. — 1863

Sylvanus Smalley was Judge when Madison County was

formed in 1806.

Surrogates of Madison County.

Judge, T. H. Hubbard, Hamilton, appointed Mar. 26, 1806.
" Asa B. Sizer, Madison, " Feb, 26, 18 16.

" John G. Stower, Hamilton, " Feb, 19, 1821.

" Otis P. Granger, Morrisville, " Apr. 13,1827.

MADISON COUNTY.

149

Judge Jas. B. Eldridge, Hamilton, appointed Feb. 18, 1840.

" James W. Nye, Hamilton, " Feb. 18, 1844.

" Chas. L. Kennedy, Morrisville, elected Nov. — 1867.

re-elected " 1871.
Judge of the Court of Appeals, Charles Mason of Hamilton,
appointed Jan. 20, 1868; he still continues in the office.

Sheriffs of Madison County.

Jeremiah Whipple, Cazenovia, appointed Mar. 26,

William Hatch, " " Mar. 5,

Jeremiah Whipple, " " Feb. 5,

Elijah Pratt, Smithfield, " Mar. 25,

John Matteson, Nelson, " Feb. 28,

Moses Maynard, Madison, " Mar. 2,

Ezra Cloyes, Morrisville, " Feb. 19,

Ezra Cloyes, Morrisville, elected Nov.

Ezekiel Carpenter, Cazenovia, " "

Pardon Barnard, Lenox, " "

Joseph S. Palmer, Lenox, " "

Thomas Wylie, Lebanon, " "

John M. Messenger, Smithfield, " "

Isaac Brown, Brookfield, " "

Samuel French, Sullivan, " "

William B. Brand, Brookfield, "

Francis F. Stevens, Eaton, " "

Stephen M. Potter, Cazenovia, " "

Milton Barnett, Smithfield, " "

Sanford P. Chapman, Lenox, " "

William F. Bonney, Eaton, " "

Asahel C. Stone, Smithfield, " "

Andrew J. French, Morrisville, " "

Edwin R. Barker, Morrisville, " "

County Clerks.

Asa B. Sizer, Madison, appointed March, 26,

Samuel S. Foreman, Cazenovia,
Josiah N. M. Hurd, Cazenovia,
Bennett Bicknell, Morrisville,
Bennett Bicknell, Morrisville,
John G. Curtis,
Andrew Scott Sloan,
Alexander Donaldson, jr.,
Lewison Fairchild, Cazenovia,

Feb.

5,
28,
19,
elected Nov.

elected

Nov.

1843

((

1846

•(

1849

((

1852

((

1855

«

1858

«

1861

«

1864

((

1867

«

1870

150 MADISON COUNTY.

Zadoc T. Bentley, DeRuyter,
Andrew S. Sloam,
Lorenzo D. Dana, Fenner,
Lucius P. Clark, Morrisville,
William E. Lansing, Chittenango,
Charles L. Kennedy, Morrisville,
Loring Fowler, Morrisville,
Calvin Whitford, Brookfield,
Nathan Brownell, Hamilton,
Alfred D. Kennedy, Lenox,

County Treasurers.

Since 1848. [The author has been unable to get this
further back.]

Clark Tillinghast, Morrisville,
Lyman M. Kingman,
Henry F. Williams,
Alexander M. Holmes, Morrisville,
David F. Payson, Eaton,
Charles T. Bicknell, Morrisville,

District Attorneys.

Daniel Kellogg, Sullivan, app(

Thomas H. Hubbard, Hamilton,

(( u «

William K. Fuller, Chittenango,
Philo Gridley, Hamilton,
Justin Dwinnell, Cazenovia,
Charles Mason, Hamilton,
Henry C. Goodwin, Hamilton,
William E. Lansing, Chittenango,
David J. Mitchell, Hamilton,
Asahel C. Stone, Smithfield,
Albert N. Sheldon, Hamilton,
Delos W. Cameron, Cazenovia,
Lambert B. Kern, DeRuyter,
Alexander Cramphin, Morrisville,

State Senators from Madison Connty.

Sylvanus Smalley, Lenox, Western Dist, 1809-10-1 1-12

Bennett Bicknell, Morrisville, " 1815-16-17-18

Thomas Greenly, Hamilton, 5th Dist. 1823-4-5

Charles Stebbins, Cazenovia, " 1826-7-8-9

elected Nov,

, 1848

((

1851

«

1854

<(

i860

«

1866

«

1869

nted Feb.

30,

1809

<<

26,

1816

June

II,

1818

March

26,

1821
1829

—

1837
1845

elected Nov.

1847

<(

1850

«

1853

" !

1856

<(

1859

((

1862

<(

1865

((

<(

1868

MADISON COUNTY. I5I

John G. Stower, Hamilton, 5th Dist 1833-4-5

Joseph Clark, Brookfield, " 1839-40- 1-2

Thomas Barlow, Canastota, " 1844-5-6-7

Asahel C. Stone, Peterboro, 23d Dist. 1850

Simon C. Hitchcock, Cazenovia, " 1854-5

John J. Foote, Hamilton, " 1858-9

James Barnett, Smithfield, " 1866-7

Members of Congress from Madison County,

Williams. Smith, Lebanon, 17th Dist. 18 13-15

1815-17
Thomas H. Hubbard, Hamilton, " 18 17-19

1821-23
Justin Dwinnell, Cazenovia, 22d Dist. 1823-25

John G. Stower, Hamilton, " 1827-29

Thomas Beekman, Peterboro, " 1829-31

William K. Fuller, Chittenango, 23d Dist. 1833-35

1835-37
Bennett Bicknell, Morrisville, " 1837-39

Edward Rogers, Madison, " 1839-41

Lawrence A. Foster, Morrisville, " 1841-43

William J. Hough, Cazenovia, " 1845-47

* Gerrit Smith, Peterboro, 22d Dist. 1853-54

Henry C. Goodwin, Hamilton, fill vacancy, " 1854-55

1857-59
William E. Lansing, Chittenango, " 1861-63

Sidney T. Holmes, Morrisville, " 1865-67

Members of Assembly from Madison County.
Town of Brookfield. — Stephen Hoxie, [for Chenango
County,] 1803; Stephen Hoxie, 1804; Oliver Brown,
1808-9, ^^d ii^ 1816; Henry Clark, 181 1 and 1822 ; Den-
nison Palmer, 1819 ; Joseph Clark, 1824 and in 1828;
John Davis, 1833 ; Joseph Clark, again in 1835 ; Wait
Clark, 1837; Thomas Keith, 1844; John T. G.Bailey,
1848 ; Dennis Hardin, 1853 ; William H. Brand, 1862 and
1863 ; David L. Fisk, 1870.

Cazenovia. — Jonathan Foreman, [for Chenango Co.,]
1 801 ; James Green, [for Chenango Co.,] 1803 ; Luther
Waterman, [for Chenango Co.,] 1804 and 1805 ; Justin
Dwinnell, 1820-21, and in 1822 ; Jacob Ten Eyck, 1826;
Lemuel White, 1827; John Williams, 1829; Jesse Kil-

"* Resigned.

152 MADISON COUNTY.

bourn, 1833 ; William J. Hough, 1835 and 1836; Simeon
C. Hitchcock, 1842 ; Stephen M.Potter, 1846; Thomas
O. Bishop, 1850; Thomas P. Bishop, 1857; Lester M.
Case, 1858 ; George L. Rouse, 1863.

DeRuyter. — James Nye, 1818 ; Elias P. Benjamin,
1825 ; James Nye, 1825 ; Benjamin Enos, 1834, also in
1839 and 1840 ; Stephen G. Sears, 1845; David Maine,
1849; Simeon Rider, 1859; Joseph W, Merchant, 1869.

Eaton. — Bennett Bicknell, 1812 ; John D. Henry, 1812
and 181 3 ; Windsor Coman, 1814 and 181 5 ; Robert
Henry, 183 1 ; Uriah Leland, 1839; Calvin Morse, 1842;
Albert G. Purdy, 1857 ; Gardiner Morse, 1866.

Fenner. — Daniel M. Gillett, 1823; Herman Van Vleck,
1820 and 21 [for Smithfield] ; Daniel M. Gillett, 1832;
Sardis Dana, 1834; Ralph I.Gates, 1844; Francis A.
Hyatt. 1 86 1.

Georgetown. — Stephen B. Hoffman, 1831 ; William F.
Bostwick, 1838; Horace Hawks, 1846; John Clark, 1850;
Alfred A. Brown, 1865.

Hamilton. — ^Samuel Payne, [for Chenango Co.,] 1804 ;
Samuel Payne, 1806; Jonathan Olmstead, 1812 and 1813 ;
James B. Eldridge, 1816, 1817; Jonathan Olmstead, 1816
and 181 7 ; Thomas Greenly, 1818 and 18 19; Amos
Crocker, 1820 ; Thomas Dibble, 1826; James B. Eldredge,
1827 and in 1829 ; William Lord, 1838 ; Seneca B. Burch-
ard, 1841 ; Lorenzo Sherwood, 1843 ; Henry L. Webb,
1852; Gilbert Tompkins, 1855 ; Orrin B. Lord, 1861 ; D.
Gerry Wellington, 1867.

Lenox. — Sylvanus Smalley, 1806 and 1807, also in 1808 ;
Nathan Hall, jr., 1816; Pardon Barnard, 1822; Thomas
Spencer, 1824; Sylvester Beecher, 1827; John Whitman,
1831 ; Nehemiah Batchelor, 1832 ; Jason W. Powers, 1835 ;
Silas Sayles, 1837 ; Daniel Van Vleck, 1841 ; Venoni W.
Mason, 1843 ; Thomas T. Loomis, 1846 ; George B. Rowe,
1852 ; Franklin M. Whitman, 1854; Aaron Brush, 1855 ;
John Snow, 1856 ; Albert G. Purdy, 1862 ; Benjamin F.
Bruce, 1867 ; Leonard C.Kilham, 1868 and 1869, and 1870.

Lebanon. — John W. Bulkley, 1808, 1809, 18 10 and 1811 ;
Curtis Hoppin, 1823; Ephriam Gray, 1836 ; Henry Palmer,
1843; Franklin B. Hoppin, 1851 ; David Clark, i860;
Bushrod E. Hoppin, 1867.

MADISON COUNTY. 153

Madison. — Erastus Cleaveland, 1807 ; Amos B. Fuller,
18 10; Stephen F. Blackstone, 18 14; Moses Maynard, 18 16
and 1817 ; David Woods, 1818 ; Levi Morton, 1820 ; Wm.
Berry, jr., 1820 and 1821 ; Rutherford Barker, 1823 ; Wm.
Manchester, 1830; John Head, 2d, 1832; Erastus Cleave-
land, 1833 ; Isaac Coe, 1837; Daniel Barker, 1840; Geo.
W. Taylor, 1847 i Samuel White, 2d, 1854 and 1856 ; John
W. Lippett, 1864.

Nf.lson. — Eliphalet S. Jackson, 1816 and 1820; Eri
Richardson, 1828; Onisemus Mead, 1838; Oliver Pool,
1841 ; Alfred Medbury, 1844 ; Wesley M. Carpenter, 1868.

Sullivan. — Daniel Van Horn, 1808, 1809 and 1810;
Zebulon Douglass, 181 1 ; Walter Beecher, 18 12 and 181 3 ;
David Beecher, 1814 and 1815 ; Solomon Beebe, 1819 ;
John Knowles, 1828; William K. Fuller, 1829 and 1830;
John B. Yates, 1836; Friend Barnard, 1839; Job Wells,
1842; John I. Walrath, 1845; Peter VanValkenburg,
1847 ; George Grant, 1848 ; Jerius French, 185 1 ; Robert
Stewart, 1858; Daniel P\ Kellogg, 1864; Robert Stewart,
I867.

Smithfield. — Elisha Carrington, 18 14; Nehemiah
Huntington, 1825 and 1826; John M. Messenger, 1830 ;
Daniel Dickey, 1840 ; Robert G. Stewart, 1849; James
Barnett, i860 ; Caleb Calkins, 1866.

Stockbridge. — Henry T. Sumner, 1834 ; William Smith,
1845; Marsena Temple, 1853; Noah M. Coburn, 1859 ;
Alvin Strong, 1865.

Delegates to Convention to Revise Constitutions.
In 1822, Barak Beckwith, Cazenovia ; John Knowles, Chit-
tenango ; Edward Rogers, Madison. In 1846, Benjamin F.
Bruce, Lenox ; Federal Dana, Fenner. In 1867, Lester M.
Case, Cazenovia ; Loring Fowler, Canastota.

Presidential Electors from Madison County.
President, James Madison, 1808 ; William Hallock. Presi-
dent, James Madison, 1812 ; Thomas Hubbard, Hamilton.
President, James Munroe, 1820; Elisha Farnham.
President, Zachery Taylor, 1848; Oliver Pool, Nelson.
President, Abraham Lincoln, i860; John J. Foote, Hamil-
ton. President, Abraham Lincoln, 1864; Robert Stewart,
Chittenango.

154 MADISON COUNTY.

MADISON COUNTY COURTS,

The first Court of Record held in Madison County, was
a Court of General Session, " holden at the School House
near David Barnard's in Sullivan, on Tuesday the 3rd day
of June, 1806. Present — The Honorable Sylvanus
Smalley, Peter Smith, Edward Green, Elisha Payne and
David Cook, Esquires and Judges.

Grand Jurors : — Lemuel Kingsbury, gentleman, fore-
man ; Samuel Thomas, Elisha Carey, Oreb Montague,
Joshua Herrington, Rufus Pierson, John Needham, Wil-
liam Whitman, Joel Doolittle, George Ballou, Ebenezer
Johnson, Abner Badger, Aaron Putney, Samuel Griggs,
Phineas Dodge, David Barnard, Jacob Patrick, Elisha Starr,
David Woodworth.

" John Matteson and Daniel Barber, constables to wait on
the Grand Jury."

" The Grand Jury, after retiring and finding no present-
ments, returned and were discharged by the Court.

The Court adjourned without day. A. B. Sizer, Clerk."

The October term of this court, the same year, was held
at the School House near the house of Elisha Payne in
Hamilton. Present — The Honorable Peter Smith, Elisha
Payne, Edward Green and David Cook, " Esquires and
Justices of the Peace." William Hatch was appointed crier
of the Court. " Ordered that this Court adjourn to the
meeting house and convene forthwith."

Grand Jurors : — Stephen F. Blackstone, foreman ; John
Hoxie, Stephen Crumb, Daniel H. Coon, Paul Palmer, Seth
Holmes, Thomas Leach, David Walters, Edward Newton,
Samuel McClure, Levi Mantor, David Peebles, Ezra Fuller,
Richard Butler, Oliver S. Wilcoxon, John Shapley, William
McClenathan, Archibald Bates, Isaac Warren, Caleb Allen,
Joseph Cooley, Ebenezer Corbin, Samuel Howard and
David Barber.

It was — "Ordered, the seal procured by the Clerk, with
the device of suspended scales, beneath which a sceptre
lying horizontally, entwined by a serpent, a star in the
center of the whole, and the whole encircled with ' Mad-
ison Co7miy, incorporated in 1806,' be, and it is hereby the
seal of this Court." No further business of any note was
transacted at this term.

MADISON COUNTY. I55

CAPITAL TRIALS AND CONVICTIONS.

Madison County Oyer and Terminer, July 3rd, 1807.
This was the first session of this court held in this county,
and was held in the school-house near David Barnard's, in
Sullivan. Present, Hon. William W. Van Ness, Judge of
the Supreme Court, Peter Smith, Judge of Madison
County, Elisha Payne and David Cook, Assistant Justices.

Grand Jurors present, Jonathan Morgan, foreman ; Tim-
othy Gillett, jr., Isaac Ingersoll, Isaac Morse, Samuel
Thomas, Jabez Abel, Elisha Starr, Timothy Brown, Elisha
Farnham, Allen Dryer, jr., Elisha Severance, Dennison
Palmer, Samuel Marsh, George Dalrymple, Erastus Cleave-
land, Wright Brigham, Daniel Petrie, Abraham Mattoon,
Ephriam Bliss. Robert Avery, Barry Carter, James D,
Cooledge, John Marble.

It was ordered that this court adjourn to the barn of
Sylvan»us Smalley, and convene forthwith. The celebrated
Hitchcock case was to be tried, hence this order. Griffin
Watkins and John Leet, constables, were each fined two ,
dollars for non-attendance ; Eli F. Hill, juror, was fined
two dollars for non-attendance. The first indictment, the
people against Daniel R. Baxter, for assault and battery,
was speedily disposed of, but little action being taken in the
case, and the prisoner discharged.

The following indictment was presented by the Grand
Jury:

The People ] Indicted

agt. V for

Alpheus Hitchcock, j Murder.

The prisoner plead not guilty. The court adjourned till
six o'clock A.M., July 4th. The trial came on July the 4th.
Thomas R, Gold was counsel for the prisoner. The petit
jurors sworn this day, were : — Jeremiah Gage, Ebenezer
Caulkins, John Anguish, Jabez Crocker, Thomas Marvin,
David Barrett, James Tucker, James Gault, Caleb Allen,
Amos Hill, John Barber, Joseph Smith.

The charge against Hitchcock was, that he had on the
6th day of April, 1807, procured poison and administered it
to his wife, with intent to kill, and which had produced her
death in a few hours.

156 MADISON COUNTY.

The witnesses sworn for the people were : — Prudence
Stacy, Elijah Putnam, Samuel Barber, Betsey Barber, Levi
Love, Asa B. Sizer, Jonathan Pratt, Ezra Woodworth, Su-
sannah Woodworth, Francis Guitteau, Moses Maynard,
Wm. P. Simmons, Abraham W. Sedgewick and Lucy
Bailey. Witnesses for the prisoner, Isaac Goodsell, Eph-
riam Clough, and Jacob Phelps.

The jury returned a verdict of "guilty," whereupon the
court sentenced Alpheus Hitchcock to be hung on Friday
the ensuing nth of September, between the hours of one
and three. This sentence was carried out, and he was hung
in the village of Cazenovia, the gallows being erected at the
east of the village, on the present farm of Mr. Parsons.
This was the first execution in Madison County. It was
made a public affair. Jeremiah Whipple was Sheriff

[A few days previous to the murder, the great April snow
storm of that year had prevailed. The 6th day of April
(Sunday) the inhabitants turned out to clear the roads, the
storm having ceased on Saturday. Hitchcock was one of
the party, helping to clear the roads between where he lived
(the Center) and the Corners (Madison Village). Having
done their labor, the party dispersed to their several homes ;
Hitchcock, however, before going to his, called on the phy-
sician at the drug store at the " Corners," and purchased
the arsenic with which he that evening poisoned his wife.
At ten o'clock that night she lay a corpse in his house.
Remembrance of the great storm, and this atrocious mur-
der, was ever after associated, and the people called it the
" Great Hitchcock Snow Storm." Hitchcock was a singing
school teacher, and had fallen in love with one of his pupils,
Lois Andrus, and took this diabolical course to rid himself
of his wife. When Hitchcock stood upon the scaffold, await-
ing the adjustment of the fatal noose, it is said he requested
that the hymn, " Show pity, Lord ! O Lord forgive," be
sung in his favorite tune, " Brookfield." His wish was
granted, and he was launched into eternity.]

TRIAL OF MARY ANTONE.

The records in the County Clerk's Office in reference to
this criminal case are very meagre. The name of the mur-
deress is given, Mary Anthony instead of Mary Antone.
The name of the girl murdered by her is not given. How-

MADISON COUNTY. I57

ever, Mary Antone was tried and hung for the murder of an
Indian girl. The records are as follows :

" Madison Oyer and Terminer, convened at the Court
House in Cazenovia, on the 27th day of June, 18 14. Pres-
ent, Hon. Jonas Piatt, Justice of Supreme Court ; Peter
Smith, First Judge of Madison County Common Pleas.

Wm. Hopkins, ) Assistant
Jonas Fay, j Judges.

The Trial commenced June 28th.
The People
vs. •
Mary Anthony

alias
Polly Anthony.

Jurors Sworn : Reubin Bryan, Artemus Inman,
Glover Short, Jesse Taylor, Samuel Chubbuck, Shaler
Fyler, Isaac Morton, ElialD Perkins, Jason Leason, Nathan
Smith, Ruggles Payne, Russell Barker, 2d.

Witnesses for the people : William Stone, John Myer ;
one paper read in evidence [undoubtedly from John Jacobs,]
John C. Payne, Joseph B. Peck, Samuel P. Pierce.

Witnesses for prisoner : Adam Jordon, interpreter, Peggy
Abraham, Peter Smith.

June 29th, sentenced to be hung on the 30th of Septem-
ber, at 10 o'clock, A. M.

Mary Antone was accordingly hung at Peterboro, the 30th
day of September, 18 14.

Madison County Oyer and Terminer, held at Morrisville,
July 2nd, 1823, Judge Williams presiding.
The People j
vs >

Abram Antone. )

Judge Jonas Piatt and General Joseph Kirkland were ap-
pointed by the court, counsel for the prisoner.

Antone was first indicted before the Court of Sessions in
181 5, for the murder of John Jacobs.

The following persons composed the jury : Matthew B.
Brooks, Oliver Whipple, James Clarke, Stephen B. Hoff-
man, Lewis Stanley, Luther Smith, Eben Ayer, Joseph
Tucker, jr., Isaac Bumpus, Shubal F. Bunker, Timothy B.
Chidsey, Daniel Warren.

158 MADISON COUNTY.

Witnesses for the people : Mary Doxtater, Nicholas Jor-
don, Eunice Abrams, Jonathan Buna, Susannah Seth,
Jno. Quincy. Witness sworn as interpreter, J. Dana.

Jno. Quincey and Allen Dryer were constables.

The prisoner plead " Not Guilty." The witnesses
against him were principally uncultivated sons of the forest.
But it was remarked that their testimony was given with a
carefulness and precision scarcely to be expected. The
testimony was clear and decisive. The counsel rested their
defense altogether on this, " that the State of New York
has no jurisdiction over the Indian tribes within her terri-
tory." The court, however, overruled the objection. The
prisoner had always objected to a trial except by his own
people. He said he had paid 1^270 to the different tribes as
a ransom, and thought it hard that he sholild die when he
had made his peace with the Indians. Two or three tribes
sent in petitions praying for his release, but the Oneidas,
of which tribe he was said by some to have been a Chief,
neglected it. This was said by some to be owing to the
head Chief who was Antone's enemy. Without doubt, the
Indians generally would have been glad of his release,
though it is certainly a very singular circumstance that the
same ones who volunteered in pursuit of him after the mur-
der of John Jacobs, and to whom he was always an object
of dread and fear, should turn and petition for him. The
nations, however, did not generally assent to our jurisdic-
tion over them, and they undoubtedly petitioned on thar
principle. The murder and the circumstances connected
with it, are given in a biographical sketch drawn from a
pamphlet published after his execution, wherein is obtained
a glimpse of the character of one who was once the terror
of all Madison County. The intensity of feeling which this
trial produced between the two races, white and red, showed
that it involved principles reaching beyond the fact of his
having indulged a barbarous nature in destroying a fellow
creature. It was the culminating strife between the ele-
ments of barbarism and civilization, and became the death
struggle of barbarism in this region. (Note a.)
Madison Oyer and Terminer, March 27th, 1839."

Present: Hon. Robert Monell, Circuit Judge of the 6th
Circuit ; E. Rogers, B. Beckwith, E. Holmes and H. G.
Warner, Esqrs., Judges of the County Courts.

MADISON COUNTY. I59

■*; The People ) Indicted for the murder of

vs > Robert Barber on the 30th

Lewis Wilber. ) day of August, 1837.

Counsel for the Prosecution : J. Dwinnell (District Attor-
ney), B. D. Noxon and T. Jenkins, Esqrs.

Counsel for the Prisoner: J. A. Spencer and A. L. Foster,
Esqrs.

The following Jury were empanneled for the trial of the
cause : Conradt H. Cooper, Joseph C. Spencer, Ichabod S.
Francis, Dyer Saxton, John R. Burdwin, Charles D. Crut-
tenden, Bradley Parlin, Thomas J. Whiting, Daison Has-
kell, Ethan Bosworth, Benjamin C. Barton, Nathaniel C.
Gregg.

Lewis Wilbur was executed at Morrisville, October 3rd,
1839.

Madison Oyer and Terminer.

October 21st, 1853.
The People \

vs > Duane Brown, Att'y for prisoner.

John Hadcock. )

For the murder of Mrs. Mary Gregg.

Wm. E. Lansing, District Attorney.

Jurors : Wm. R. Spencer, David Irish, John L. Walrath,
Silas T. Filer, John Hovey, Lucius Spencer, Frederic H.
Way, Adolphus Blair, Hiram H. Merchant, John W. John-
son, Jacob Foland, Lewis Hamblin.

Witnesses for the people : Susan S. Gregg, James Low,
Ephriam K. Gregg, Julius Treat, Cornelius Antone, Tru-
man Benedict, Anson Crane, Jonathan M. Wilson, Mc-
Kenzie Sumner, Easton J. Hostler, Frederic Hodges, Ami-
deus Hinman, Samuel Barr, W. B. Parmelee, Frederic Snell,
Henry Newkirk, Sarah Green, Wm. Page.

John Hadcock was sentenced to be hung December 21st,
1853, between the hours often and twelve o'clock, a. m.

There was an effort made through a petition of many
persons, including the court which sentenced him, to effect
a commutation of punishment to imprisonment for life in
the State prison. The opinion being entertained by some
that Hadcock was laboring under a species of insanity, and
consequently not a fit subject for the gallows, the matter
was laid before His Excellency, Governor Seymour, who

l60 MADISON COUNTY.

granted a month's stay of proceedings, and advised ttie
summoning of a jury, inquiring into the facts before the
Sheriff, to test the question. An order to that effect hav-
ing been issued by District Judge Mason and concurred in
by the County Judge, S. T. Hohnes, the following jury were
summoned and sworn, viz : Francis Parsons, Israel Ward,
John H. Fuller, Oliver W. Webster, Cazenovia ; Levi P.
Greenwood, Joseph G. Norton, Powers R. Mead, Nelson ;
Albert G. Purdy, Simeon Graham, David H. Phipps, Eaton ;
George Warren, Georgetown, and Henry G. Beardsley,
Hamilton. The inquisition commenced its session on the
13th of February, 1854. S. M. Potter, Sheriff, Madison
County, presiding. D. Brown, Esq., of Morrisville, and S.
B. Garvin of Utica, were counsel for prisoner. D. J. Mitch-
ell and H. C. Goodwin, Esqrs., for the people,

John Potter, Jeremiah Cooper, Jonathan M. Foreman,
John Gregg, Daniel Gordon, Abraham Gregg, Jeduthan
Green, John Green, John Hadcock, Francis F, Stevens, J.
M. Wilson, '^Charles L. Thompson, Dr. James Moore and
Dr. Franklin T. Maybury, were witnesses sworn.

After the examination of these witnesses the case was
submitted to the jury, who, after deliberating on it two
hours, returned saying they could not agree, and were dis-
charged. The jury stood seven for, and five against the in-
sanity of the prisoner. The Governor offered a further re-
spite, if the District Judge should order another
jury. As no such order was issued, the Sheriff was
obliged to proceed in his duty, in carrying out the sentence
which the court had passed upon the criminal. Accord-
ingly the execution took place at a few moments before 1 1
o'clock, on Friday morning of the 24th day of February,
1854.

There has been other murders in Madison County, and
some of them have greatly agitated the public mind, but in
some cases the supposed murderer has not been convicted,
the trial resulting in acquittal. Such was the case in the
murder of John Buck of Nelson, the accused bein
William Zecker a German.

Other cases, among them the shockins- murder of

MADISON COUNTY. l6l

Moses Johnson of Brookfield, in which no reliable clue to
the murderer or murderers have been found.

Still other cases have resulted in trial, the verdicts being,
conviction for the different degrees of manslaughter,
punishable by imprisonment in the State Prison, or confine-
ment in the Asylum for insanity. The recent case of John
Maxwell, who was sentenced to be hung, being of that class.
Before the time set for his execution arrived, a petition
from the Court which tried him, to the Governor, had the
effect to obtain commutation of his sentence to imprison-
ment for life, in the Auburn State Prison.

1 62 MADISON COUNTY,

C HAPTER II I.

BROOKFIELD.

Formation and Geography of the town. — History of the Clinton
Purchase of Chenango Twenty Towns. — Incident. — The Carr
farm of Edmeston. — Operations of Joseph Brant in this sec-
tion in the days of the Revolution. — Stephen Hoxie and Dan-
iel Brown, the Pioneers. — Incidents. — Company of Settlers in
1792. — First mills. — Purchase of Michael Myers, Jedediah
Sanger and John I. Morgan. — Anecdote of Encounter with a
Bear. — Button's Hill Creek. — The Falls. — Romantic Scenery.
-7-Old Family Burial Grounds. — First Improvements. — Early
Hamlets in the hill districts. — Home Farm of John I. Morgan.
— Babcock's mills. — Unadilla Forks. — Humorous anecdote. —
Obituaries. — Sketches of Pioneers. — Leonardsville ; its enter-
prises— Clarkville — North Brookfield.

This town was formed from Paris, Oneida County, March
5th, 1795. It originally embraced" townships 17, 18 and
19, of Chenango Twenty Towns, and from the date of its
formation till 1798 was a part of Herkimer County, From
the latter date to 1806, it was a part of Chenango County.
The 17th Township was taken off from Brookfield in 1805,
to form Columbus, Chenango County.

The town hes in the south-east corner of the county ; is
bounded north by Sangerfield and Bridgewater, Oneida
County, east by the Unadilla river, south by the Unadilla
river and Columbus, Chenango County, and west by the
towns of Hamilton and Madison. Its surface is hilly and
broken ; it is traversed longitudinally by a succession of
ridges almost mountainous in some sections. The high

BROOKFIELD. 1 63

hills and deep valleys are crossed and re-crossed by roads,
the old Skaneateles turnpike passing directly through the
town from east to west. Aiming at mathematical direct-
ness, this broad highway may be seen from hill-top to hill-
top, evading none ot the steep passes along its way. It
need be no matter of wonder to any one, that Brookfield
hills should have gained a notoriety almost world-wide, after
having traveled this turnpike. Near the western line of
the town, on the north side of this road, towers one of the
loftiest summits of the hills, appropriately named " Round
Top," from which one of the most extensive views can be
obtained, the hills of seven counties rising to the vision. On
a clear autumn day, when the keen wind had chased away
the obscuring haze, we could distinctly trace with the naked
eye the outlines of woodland and meadow which draped the
hills of nearly all Madison County, as it lay like a panorama
spread out before us. Far to the westward rose some of the
lofty peaks of Onondaga, and blue hills of Cortland ; south-
ward lay the long range of Chenango's bights ; at the east-
ward the summits of Otsego and Herkimer, which, bordering
the Unadilla, seemed strangely near ; while at the northward,
some of the villages in Oneida County were, as if uncon-
sciously, contributing brilliant settings to the gem-covered
landscape.

The Unadilla River is a beautiful stream, meandering
through a rich and handsome valley. From the Forks
southward, this water was once navigable for canoes.
Beaver creek passing nearly through the center of the
town, has a considerable fall, and is largely occupied by
mill-seats along its whole length. Through the northwest
corner of the town passes the most eastern branch of the
Chenango. Several smaller streams, tributaries to these,
traverse various sections of the town. The deep " Terry-
town Swamp," so called, in which the Chenango branch
has its rise, covers a portion of the northwest corner,
which in the past has afforded an abundance of cedar tim-

164 MADISON COUNTY.

ber. The prevailing soil of the town is a gravelly loam,
though slate and other rock formations, cropping out here
and there among the hills, change its nature locally in some
degree ; also, alluvial deposits enrich the valleys.

The Unadilla river from the earliest dates was a favorite
fishing stream for the Aborigines, and lay within the
Oneida Nation. The "Oneida Path" which led to the
river, came into Brookfield from the southeast corner of
Sangerfield, passing the northeast corner of Terrytown
Swamp, (called by the Indians Ska-na-vvis, or Great Svt'amp,)
and led through this town to the Unadilla Forks.

As we have seen, this township was Nos. 18 and 19, of
the celebrated " Twenty Towns," or " Clinton Purchase,"
being a large tract of land lying partly in Chenango County,
partly in Madison County, and a township in Oneida
County, which were purchased of the Oneidas by Governcr
George Clinton, in a treaty held at Fort Schuyler (Utica)
in 1788. The sum paid for the tract was $5,500, in goods,
money, and a grist mill, besides an annuity of $600.
Although these things were wanted by the Indians, yet
the wise heads of the Sachems foresaw the result of this
wholesale cession of their lands. An incident is related
which is said to have occurred when this treaty was made,
aptly illustrating the final result of these treaties as they
were to effect the Indian race. It was given by a sagacious
Oneida Chief in the following practical manner: —

After the sale had been duly ratified, and Governor Clin-
ton was sitting upon a log, the Chief came and seated him-
self very close by him. Out of courtesy the Governor
moved along, when the Indian moved also, crowding still
closer. The Governor then made another move ; the
Indian hitched along again close to him ; and thus the
moves were several times repeated, when at last Governor
Clinton found himself off the log ! Being considerably non-
plussed he requested the meaning of this curious operation.
The Chief sagaciously replied : — "Just so white man

BROOKFIELD. 165

crowd poor Indian ; keep crowding ; keep crowding ; by
and by crowd him clear off! where poor Indian then ?"

Previous to this treaty, in the year 1785, a traveler passing
through the locality where Leonardsville now is, found
nothing but a well worn path, — a branch of the Oneida
trail, — to guide his footsteps, while a miserable quagmire
lay where the main street of that village now passes.

We infer that the quiet of the Brookfield hills and dales
was often, in that far off day, broken in upon by the wild
habits of the natives as they traversed the forests, or pro-
pelled their canoes and light batteaux upon the river.
Joseph Brant and his followers often sailed upon the Una-
dilla, even past the borders of Brookfield. Relics were
found by the earliest settlers near the Forks, which go to
show that that locality had been a place of rendezvous for
his notorious band. Among other things of minor import-
ance, a five-pail kettle, half full of wrought iron nails, rusted
into one mass, was found under a log near the ford at that
place. All appearances indicated that they had been there
many years, and were undoubtedly a part of the plunder
taken by the Indians in their depradations against the
whites.

The first saw mill at the Forks, (on the Plainfield side,)
built by Capt. Caleb Brown, stood on the spot where, it
is said, an Indian once murdered a white man.

Upon the eastern shore of the Unadilla, opposite a portion
of Brookfield, lay the Edmeston Estate. This was a large
tract of land ceded to Col. Edmeston, a British officer in
the French war of 1763.* About 1770, Col. Edmeston
sent Percifer Carr, a faithful soldier who had served under
him, to settle upon the estate. Mr. Carr and his wife with
their servants, were for a long series of years the only white
inhabitants of the Unadilla valley. During the Revolution,
Mr, Carr, it is believed, was friendly to the British Govern-

*The grant for this tract was obtained by Robert and William Edmeston, in
1770. See map of Susquehanna and Delaware, Doc. Hist. Vol. i.

l66 MADISON COUNTY,

ment. The following letter by Brant to Mr. Carr, in the In-
dian's own orthography, we extract from Campbell's Annals
of Tryon County :

"Tunadilla, (Unadilla,) July 6, 1777.
M. Carr — Sir : I understand that 3''ou are a friend to
Government With sum of the settlers at the Butternuts is
the Reason of my applying to you & those people for some
provisions and shall be glad you would send me what you
can spare no matter what sorte for which you shall be paid
you helping an account of the whole.

from your friend
& hum'le Servt,

Joseph Brant."
To M. Persafer Carr.

That Mr. .Carr was in sympathy with the cause of his
countrymen and against that of the Colonies, can hardly be
doubted, though there is no account that he at any time
actually engaged in the struggle pending. There is no
doubt, however, about one thing ; that the Unadilla bore
from this estate supplies to the British and Indian armies.
The subjoined seems to confirm the view taken : —

" Tunadilla, July 9, 1778.

Sir : I understand by the Indians that was at your house
last week, that one Smith lives near with you, has little
more corn to spare. I should be much obliged to you. if
you would be so kind as to try to get as much corn as
Smith can spared, he has sent me five skipples already of
wliich I am much obliged to him and will see him paid, and
would be very glad if you could spare me one or two your
men, to join us especially Elias. I would be glad to see
him, and I wish you could sent me as many guns as you
have, as I know you have no use for them if you any ; as I
mean now to fight the cruel rebels as well as I can ; what-
ever you will be able to sent'd me, you must sent'd me by
the bearer. I am your sincere friend and humble serv't,

Joseph Brant."
To Mr. Carr.

P. S. — I heard that Cherry Valley people is very bold
and intended to make nothing of us. They called us wild
geese but I know the contrary. Jos. B."

BROOKFIELD. 1 67

Before the close of the Revolution, a party of hostile In-
dians invaded the domain, killed the hired men, burned the
barn, destroyed the property, and carried Mr. and Mrs.
Carr into captivity. At first they were treated with great
severity and for a time were made to follow them in all
their expeditions, submitting them to every degradation, of
which the following is but one of the many : — During their
passage to Canada, whither they journeyed, sometimes in
coming to rivulets or small sloughs, M. Carr was laid prone
in the mud and water, to make a bridge for the savages to
walk across upon ! In the course of time, however, they
became inured to the hardships of their slavery ; their
cheerfulness returned, and by teaching their masters many
arts unknown to the Indians, they gained their favor, when
equality in all things save liberty was accorded them.

At the close of the war in 1782, they were restored to
freedom, when they returned to the Unadilla to find their
home in ruins, and the cleared fields they had left, covered
with briars and underbrush. One relic of the life that had
been, was left to them, which they scarcely expected to find
— their family horse — which had been overlooked by their
captors. He had managed to subsist by roaming the woods
and cropping the wild herbage and buds of trees through
all those winters ; and though reduced to little more than a
skeleton, it was yet a sad comfort to behold the faithful
animal lingering around the old home. Mr. and Mrs. Carr
immediately applied their energies to the restoration of their
abode to something like its original comfort, and however
mistaken might have been their zeal, in the beginning of
the war, subsequent events gave a new direction to their
sympathies ; for here, in their at last peaceful, comfortable
and retired home, they dispensed many kindnesses to the
travel-worn emigrants who passed this route. Mr. Carr
lived to an old age, and died without property. When his
employer. Col. Edmeston, died, Carr was abandoned to want
by the remaining heirs, suffering from poverty in his ad-

1 68 MADISON COUNTY,

vanced years, until by the spirited interference of his neigh-
bors, a piece of land was secured to him in fee-simple, on
which his industry supported him until death.

As the agent of a wealthy family, resident in England,
Mr. Carr was supposed to have in his possession, at times,
large sums of money ; to secure which, when the perils of
the revolution surrounded him, he buried the treasure near
his dwelling. His long captivity and absence from his
farm, the growth of wood, briers and weeds, the general
extinction of common marks and signs, rendered his search
for the buried money toilsome and fruitless. Such was the
rumor when Carr returned to his home ; and like the silly
tale of Kidd's money -chests, it has tound believers, as ap-
pears by the fact that the earth has been upturned at the
supposed places of deposit.

Early in the spring of 1791, a company of families in
Rhode Island, having decided on removal westward, sent
out their agents to purchase land in the Government tract
of the Twenty Townships. Stephen Hoxie was one of the
two agents thus deputized, who, with others of that com-
pany, came on the same spring. On their way they stopped
at Albany, and made purchase of thirteen lots at fifty cents
per acre. We have before us the original patent of the lot
Mr. Hoxie chose for himself It is dated the 3d day of
May, 1 79 1. The tract was described as situated in the
County of Montgomery, on the west side of the Unadilla^
distinguished as Lot No. 96, of Township 19, of Twenty
Townships: This lot contained 350 acres. As in other
ancient patents, the State reserved all gold and silver mines i
also, five acres in each hundred was reserved for highways.
We have here also the signature of Geo. Clinton, near
which is attached the ponderous " Great Seal of the State
of New York," the one in use at that period, and which
bears the the insignia devised by the Provisional Govern-
ment of 1777.

In due season Mr. Hoxie and his companions reached

BROOKFIELD. 1 69

the hospitable abode of Mr, Carr, on the eastern shore of
the Unadilla. Resting but a short time they eagerly-
pushed forward into the unbroken township of No. 19,
cutting the first road, directing its course up the valley,
northerly, to the location of lot No. 96. Here, between
the base of the hill and the swampy valley, the stakes were
struck for the first domicil in the wide wilderness of Brook-
field.

In the early summer, at about the time of Mr. Hoxie's
arrival, Capt. Daniel Brown, of Connecticut, with his family
and a few friends whom he had induced to join him in the
expedition, took up their journey for the " far west." It
had been their intention to settle in the Genesee country ;
but unforeseen events induced them to take a southerly
route, and late in June, 1791, they reached the Carr farm.
The kind invitation Mr. Carr extended to them to rest a
few days at his place, and reconnoitre the surrounding
country, was gladly accepted, for they had become weary
and dispirited from the many obstacles unavoidably encount-
ered in their long and toilsome journey, which had been
performed with an ox team, and had occupied twenty-one
days. The rich lands of the Unadilla attracted their
attention, and a nearer examination of the opposite shore
revealed beauties and advantages more promising than they
had looked for, presenting temptations which overcame
their attractions toward the Genesee. Upon inquiry they
found a tract of land which h?d been ceded by the Indians
directly to the State, of which a clear title could be obtain-
ed and at an exceeding low rate. Accordingly, a few miles
above the Carr farm, on the west and opposite bank of the
Unadilla, on lot eigty-two, nineteenth township, Capt.
Daniel Brown selected his abode, and with his wife, two
sons, Isaac and Nathan, and one daughter. Desire, became
the first settled family of the town of Brookfield,

Captain Brown began the first operations for his settle-
ment on the fourth day of July, 1791. He and the pio-

170 MADISON COUNTY.

neers who had joined him, were men who had passed
through the soul-stirring scenes of the revoUition — who
felt, in all its grandeur and significance, the full meaning of
the word " Independence." They knew that at the old
homes in Connecticut and Rhode Island, on the morning
of that fifteenth anniversary of our nation's birthday, their
veteran comrades of '76 and 'yy, would shout their joy
over land and sea from their deep-voiced cannon, while
here in the far off west, amid the hush of the solemn wilder-
ness, what could they do to celebrate it t — They determined
to do something which should never be forgotten ; this
day should begin a new era in the wilderness west of the
Unadilla !

Our patriotic pioneers made preparation to usher in the
day with a salute, — not of the warlike notes of thundering
artillery, but of the cheerily ringing echos of the wood-
man's ax, the harbinger of progress, prosperity and rural
independence ! Therefore when the morning sun of that
independence day shone through the woodland, Colonel
Brown's ax gleamed amid its first rays, and its ringing,
echoing strokes proclaimed the beginning of a new era,
marked upon the tallying line of the nation's rolling years.
To the booming cannon of Bunker Hill, these echoes from
the heart of the dim, old woods, was the clear, silvery
answer of a nation springing into life under the influence
of freedom, peace, conscious power and indomitable will.
This may be reckoned as the first " Fourth of July celebra-
tion," which took place in Madison County.

We may here add, before dismissing this subject, that
Captain Brown was a clothier by trade in his earlier days,
but at the age of sixty-six years his ardor was aroused to
visit and settle with his family, on the far-famed lands of
Central New York. High spirited and accustomed to
overcoming obstacles, they made no hesitation in setting
out for that distant country as we have seen, with an ox
team, following an unfrequented route and finally settling

BROOKFIELD. I/I

in an entirely unpopulated region. It would seem that
Captain Brown's family were equal to the tasks generally
required of youth and of early man and womanhood ; for
he was the father of ten robust, spirited daughters, each
six feet in hight, not one of whom feared to do a man's
work if it were necessary.

As weeks passed by, their isolated life grew wearisome.
One autumn afternoon, the young lady. Desire, wandered
ojt in the woods ; sitting down upon a rock her thoughts
soon annihilated space between herself and dear old Con-
necticut. Haunted with a yearning for other faces and
voices, her oppressed feelings found relief in listening to
her own voice as it floated out clear and strong over the
valley, calling for nothing, but simply to hear the variations
of the echo. Presently through the leafy arches of the
woodland, mingling with the echo, came the faint sound of
a voice. Again she called, and breathless with wonder,
distinctly heard the answer. As her calls were repeated
the answer drew nearer and nearer. Satisfied that the voice
was human and was approaching the settlement, she wept for
joy. It proved to be John I. Morgan, and Ws party of
surveyors, who were rejoiced to find there was a human
habitation near, where household comforts, not to be found
in camping out, would be theirs to enjoy. They weht
home with the young lady and abode with Captain Brown
during the term of their surveying. On his return to
New York City, Morgan often told the story of his
romantic introduction to Miss Desire Brown, the handsomest
girl (because the only) of the Unadilla.

Stephen Hoxie, who, as has been seen, arrived before
Capt. Brown, erected a small cabin and opened a clearing
around it. In the autumn he returned fo Rhode Island,
and early in the spring of 1792, came back to Brookfield,
while several of the thirteen lot holders, with their families,
came with him and took possession of their lots. Among
these lot holders were John and Elias Button, Thomas

172 MADISON COUNTY.

and James Rogers, and Peleg Langworthy, whose posses-
sions, contiguous to each other, spread over the hills west-
ward and northward of Leonardsville, in the 19th township ;
while Elder Simeon Brown, Phineas Babcock, Elder Henry
Clark and others had their farms in the immediate vicinity.
Most of the farms taken up by these pioneers are now
owned by their descendants.

This year (1792), considerable progress was made in the
settlement. Capt Brown built the first saw mill upon Mill
Creek. John Button, who had located on lot eighty-two,
adjoining Capt. Brown, purchased land some distance south
on the same stream, on account of the water power, and
here erected the first grist mill of the town. These facili-
ties made this section famous far and near, and consequent-
ly emigration poured in and rapidly settled the immediate
neighborhood, Samuel H. Burdick, Samuel Billings, David
Maine, Stephen Collins, Paul and Perry Maxon, Nathaniel
and Eleazer Brown, and Robert Randall, came in this year
and settled in various localities. Asa Frink, Ethan and
Oliver Babcock, Ira and Nathan Burdick, and Yeoman
York, were soon added to the settlement, as were also Ja-
bez Brown, John Clark, and Capt. Samuel Babcock.

Stephen Hoxie again returned east in the fall of 1792.
He had, on his last return here been accompanied by his
son, John Hoxie, a youth of seventeen, whom he now left,
with two comrades, on his farm for the winter, to look after
the premises, take care of the one cow they had driven
from Rhode Island, and to make the quarters comfortable
for the arrival of the family. It is easily inferred that these
young fellows busied themselves most industriously in
studying the habits of those curious architects, the beavers,
arranging and watching their traps, and dressing the furs
of those they captured, and that their industry was re-
warded with success ; for with the money realized from the
sale of his furs, John Hoxie afterwards purchased the first
fifty acres of his own farm. In this and kindred employ-

BROOKFIELD. I73

ments, and in neighborly calls at the Brown's and Button's
on the hill, they comforted themselves, and were tolerably
successful in keeping off homesickness till the long and
anxiously looked for emigrants should arrive, which event,
the coming of Stephen Hoxie and his family, duly trans-
pired early in the spring of 1793.

Between this period and the year 1800, many other fami-
lies located, some of whom only made a temporary residence.
In the southeast part of the town were several families by
the name of Coon ; their settlement was known as Coon-
town. In the north part were the Terrys, and their settle-
ment was called Terrytown ; there were the Welchs who
came from Stonington, Conn, This family consisted of the
father and mother, and thirteen children who located around
them. The eldest, Charles, was married in Stonington,
and himself brought a family of wife and two children. His
son, Hosea W. Welch, lives near the Welch family burial
ground and owns the farm on which it is situated. Numer-
ous descendants of the Welch family live in Brookfield ;
they are generally thrifty farmers and are worthy and use-
ful citizens. The pioneer Welch and his wife, and other
members of their family, died during the great epidemic of
18 1 3, being some of its first victims. (Note b)

Auspiciously dawned the settlement of Brookfield, which
now bid fair to become early populated by a religious, in-
telligent and industrious people. But the spirit of specula-
tion came also. The same year that Stephen Hoxie and
Capt. Brown came in, Michael Myers, Jedediah Sanger
and John I. Morgan, purchased all the unsold lands of
Brookfield, together with Sangerfield. The following is a
copy of the record of this sale from Doc. Hist, of N. Y. Vol.
III. page 1082 :

" The application of Michael Myers, Jedediah Sanger, and
John I. Morgan, for the purchase of Townships No. 18 and 20,
and the parts unsold by the Surveyor General of Township No.
19, being three of the Twenty Townships surveyed by the Sur-
veyor General, pursuant to an act passed the 25th day of Febru-

174 MADISON COUNTY.

ary, 1789. The two first Townships, to wit: Nos. 18 and 20,
at the rate of three shiUings and three pence per acre, and the
parts of No. 19, unsold as above mentioned, at the rate of three
shillings and one penny per acre, one-sixth part thereof to be
paid on the ist day of October next, and the residue in two equal
payments, the one-half on the ist of April, 1792, and the re-
maining half on the ist of January, 1793, being read and duly
considered. (Accepted.)

Acres — 67, 130=^(^10,908 15s."

Some of these lands were sold at first to settlers, but sub-
sequently much of it was settled under perpetual leases, or
leases of one, two or three lives. This method had a ten-
dency to retard, in some measure, the progress of improve-
ment. Competition, " the life of business," had no foothold
among a tenantry who toiled from year to year, without
hope of becoming owners of the soil they had subdued and
brought under cultivation ; and is it surprising if some parts
of this productive town should fall behind some of her sister
settlements in progress .-' Do we wonder that the unyield-
ing grasp by which the rental system held them, producing
often great distress, should foster in the sufferers a spirit of
retaliation and cupidity, and that in the course of genera-
tions that system should become the nursery of criminal
offenses, such as have disturbed the quiet citizens within
the precincts of these townships for the past few years .''

On the death of John I. Morgan, a fewyears ago, Morgan
Dix, of New York City, became heir to these lands. They,
however, passed into the hands of Gen. John A. Dix, ex-
ecutor of Morgan's will, by whom the farms were sold to
actual settlers at reasonable rates, the improvements being
deducted therefrom, which placed a large class of people,
long of doubtful status, in a conc'ition of independence, and
of unlimited permanency as families, if they willed it ; and
from which, we may trust, will flow all the blessings of high
civilization.

Mr. Wait Clark of Clarkville, being agent for General Dix,
much of the business pertaining to the final disposition of
these lands has been transacted by him ; although much

BROOKFIELD. 1 75

has been sold, there still remains a considerable proportion
unsold under his supervision.

The first saw mill built in the town was erected by
Captain Brown, in the year 1792, and the same year John
Button built a grist mill on the same stream, some distance
south of the saw mill, which gave the stream the name of
" Button's mill Creek." A short time after, Jabez Brown
built the second saw mill on the same stream.

There is an anecdote told of an encounter with a bear,
which took place on the day the frame of the last named
saw mill was put up, at a point on the creek a short dis-
tance above Button's Mill. Bears and panthers were plenty
in Brookfield, and although no person dared venture out
far at night without a flaming torch to frighten these
animals from the path, yet a man felt safe in the day time,
especially if his rifle accompanied him. However, this day
John Button started for the raising, leaving his rifle hang-
ing idly upon the rough ceiling of his kitchen. He followed
up Mill Creek by a foot path that wound its way among
the stumps and over fallen trees. A few rods from his
dwelling and at the head of his mill-pond a large log lay
stretched directly across his path, one end of it lying in the
stream. As Button mounted the log in his passage, a
ferocious looking bear rose up from behind it and boldly
confronted him. He was not yet much accustomed to these
savage foresters, but having heard it remarked that a bear
could be easily frightened in the day time by a shrill yell,
he gave a most terrific one, swung his hat and dashed it
into "Bruin's face! Undaunted, the black monster rose
upon his haunches and made a move as though he would
embrace his opponent, but was so worried by a little doo-
which had accompanied his master, as to give Button time
to shout to his wife to 'Met out the big dog and bring the
two guns." In quick time these arrived, and Button in his
haste grasped one and shot the bear, only wounding him in
the side. The ne.xt instant he caught the other gun which

176 MADISON COUNTY.

his wife was about to use, and not knowing she had raised
the hammer, pulled it vehemently and broke the lock.
With the breech of the gun he now fought the enraged
beast, while his wife ran for the ax. Meanwhile the bear
though worried by the small dog — the large one having'
cowardly ran off — made his best endeavors to injure his foe,
pausing at intervals to staunch the flow of blood from the
wound, which he effected by crowding into it tufts of hair
drawn with his teeth from other parts of his body When
the ax arrived, a few well aimed blows quelled Bruin's fierce
wrath, and being near the bank of the creek he plunged in
and shortly after breathed his last. His body was secured
and found to weigh four hundred pounds.

The site of the grist mill was a short distance above But-
ton's Falls, a very pretty cataract some seventy feet in
hight. In a few years Mr. Button moved on lot 82,
where he owned two hundred acres, some of his sons
continuing in possession of the mill farm. This mill farm
is now the property of Hosea Welch.

The high elevation of the land upon which John Button
settled, gave it the name of " Button's Hill." When the
forest was cleared away it afforded a fine prospect of the
surrounding country ; and there is truly much varied and
beautiful scenery in this section of Brookfield. The pretty
stream of Mill Creek, which at that day was much larger
than now — indeed, really a torrent in times of freshets —
came hurrying down the slope from Button's Hill, in some
places wearing its path through the solid rock, seeming to
be drawn on with increased impetus as it nears the narrow
gorge at the falls. A few yards above the brink, the water,
in descending from a rocky shelf, has worn cavities, some
of them quite deep, more perfect and handsome we may
imagine than if hewn out by the hand of the artisan.
Through the narrow gateway worn by the stream, the water
rushes over the rocks into a broad basin seventy feet be-
low. Looking up from the bottom of this basin, we are

BROOKFIELD. 1 77

charmed with the view of over-hanging rocks, bordered and
flanked with birch, beech, maple and hemlock, their extreme
edges overhung with woodland vines and evergreen shrub-
bery, and by the beautiful, ever-changing lights and shades
of the waterfall, the dancing spray, the whirling eddies ;
and we realize the beauty and feel the enchantment, with-
out being oppressed with the awe that a large body of wa-
ter, with its terrible rush and roar, and ominous thunder-
ings, could inspire. There was a time, however, when the
volume of water here was of sufficient magnitude to produce
terror, while its ravages appalled the stoutest heart. It was at
the time of a heavy freshet about 1805, which swept awav the
dam of Capt. Brown's saw mill, and rushing onward demol-
ished that belonging to Jabez Brown ; then, gathering im-
petus, the torrent pressed its way forward, removing every
obstacle till it reached Button's grist mill, when this too, with
the ruins of the saw mills, was swept down stream and over
the falls, a terrifying spectacle indeed, to the beholders. This
was a public, as well as an individual calamity, and was se-
verely felt as such for a time, in those yet primitive days.

Easterly from the falls is one of those ancient, family
burial grounds, which were once to be found on very many
homesteads in our country, now only seen occasionally as
relics of the past, their silent occupants having been re-
moved to modern cemeteries. Among the hills of Brook-
field, however, these places of home sepulture are more fre-
quently to be met with than in any other town of Madison
County. This one, belonging to the Welch family who set-
tled here previous to 1800, is neatly kept, as they most gen-
erally are here, by the descendants. In some places, where
no descendants remain to cherish and care for the spot sa-
cred to the dust of their forefathers, may be seen the broken
tombstone, and the sweet wild rose struggling for existence ;
emblems of the love which would fain mark the spot after
the generations that planted them had utterly passed away,
or were scattered abroad on the earth.

L

178 MADISON COUNr\\

Near here commences the rocky base of the upland, like
an extensive battlement, reaching nearly the two miles be-
tween this point and Leonardsville. This upland, or ridge,
undoubtedly once formed the bold shore of a lake spread
over the valley contiguous, beneath the soil of which have
been found many curious shells, whose owners could have
had their homes only in the depths of an inland sea.
Spread out between eastern and western hill base, lies the
sunny, peaceful valley, with fields waving in luxurious har-
vests, dotted with comfortable and beautiful farm houses,
and a village busy with the hum of industry ; while the Una-
dilla, which at the time the pioneer settlers found it, was
locked in the embrace of a gigantic forest, now placidly
trails its course along through it like a ribbon of silver in
the sunshine.

The first birth in the town of Brookfield was that of Law-
ton Palmer, son of Lawton Palmer, sen., on the homestead
purchased by him on lot ']'], i8th township, and which
is now in possession of members of the family.

Lawton Palmer, sen., brought a large farm under cultiva-
tion, and early built a large and substantial farm house,
which is still standing, a memorial of ancient architecture.
His son, Elias, was born, reared, and lived all his life upon
this farm, and died here in March, 1866, aged sixty-five.
Lawton Palmer, jr., raised from the seed the orchard south
of this house. It was never grafted, but has been an excel-
lent bearer of pretty good fruit.

The first frame building on lot 96, Stephen Hoxie
erected in 1793 ; its size was sixteen by twenty-four feet.
It is still a very good building, used by his descendants as
a shop and store house for farming utensils. The first
house in which Mr. Hoxie's family dwelt, built in 1791, was
of logs, and stood a few rods from where he built his frame
house in 1800. This frame house is the fine farm house
now owned by the Hoxie brothers.

The first school house in town was built on lot 96,

BROOKFIELD.

179

on land now owned by John Hoxie, jr. Asa Carrier
taught the first school here in the winter of 1796-7.

The first town meeting was held at the house of Capt.
Daniel Brown, April 7th, 1795, at which Stephen Hoxie
was chosen Supervisor ; Elisha Burdick, Town Clerk ;
Clark Maxon, Joshua Whitford and John Stanton, As-
sessors.

The first store was kept by a Mr. Waterman, on the road
laid out westward from the " Five Corners." The first
Baptist church of the town also was built here, on a corner
of Lawton Palmer's farm, he giving the ground for the site.
Five Corners is a pleasant location, but conspicuous now
only for its ancient school house, the cheese factory, and
the handsome, well cultivated farms ot the Browns, descend-
ants of the pioneers of that name who took up these same
farms.

The first school kept in this district was taught by a
Miss Berry, a forsaken log house being used for the pur-
pose. The following is related by an aged friend who was
one of Miss Berry's pupils : — "The roof of this house was
so well ventilated, that, in several heavy rain storms, the
teacher was obliged to protect herself and the little girls
with a spread umbrella, while the large boys were content
to take a summer shower-bath. The children all loved
Miss Berry, she was so kind to the little ones ; when they
fell asleep in their seats she would make them a little bed
upon the old cross-legged table, and lay them on it ; but
with all her kindness and tenderness some people would
find fault with her, because she had imported some new ex-
travagances in pronunciation, and in teaching the alphabet.
She spoke the word ' girls ' instead of ' gals ;' she said
' chest' instead of 'chist ;' * chair' instead of ' cheer,' &c.
Previously, the alphabet had been taught to the little ones
thus : — 'A beside of a, B beside oib, C beside of c', and so
on ; which they received into their minds as it sounded
from the teacher's lips, abbreviated somewhat like this : —

l80 MADISON COUNTY,

' A bis'fa, B bis o'b, C bis o'c/ &c., having- not the remotest
idea of what the mongrel mess signified. The letter ' Z '
was called * ezzard ;' the character ' &,' ' amphersand ;' and
the name of ' John ' was spelled ' lohn,' — no letter ' J ' being
in the alphabet they used. Miss Berry corrected all this."

There were no pictorial primers in those days for the
advantage and amusement of the little ones ; indeed, books
with pictures in were not allowed in school, it being the
prevalent notion that pictures took the pupil's attention
from his lesson. Spelling-book, Geography and the Reader
afforded ample studies, it was thought, for the capacity of
a majority of the children, while a few of the eldest were
taught writing in addition. Daboll's Arithmetic was held
a great work, in which the older boys might become pro-
ficient ; but very rarely indeed did a young lady tamper
with the half-forbidden lore of its pages. There was a pro-
cess by which a grown-up girl could add together the num-
ber of skeins of linen she had spun in a week, but she
might not have the remotest idea that it had any relation
to the simplest rule of arithmetic that she saw her brother
" figuring out " on the slate. So much for education and
its facilities in the rural towns, in the beginning of the
nineteenth century.

Particularly in passing through this vicinity of the Five
Corners, is one reminded of the changes that have taken/
place.

Beaver creek, a fine stream of water, received its name
from the noted Beaver Dam, which these ingenious little
workers had thrown across the stream, and which was
found in perfect order by the first settlers in this vicinity.
The same dam was used for several years to retain the
water-power of White's Mills.

At the foot of the western hills, bordering Beaver creek,
on an elevation about a quarter of a mile from the western
bank, is situated the Camenga farm, formerly the property
of John I. Morgan. It was laid out and improved into a

BROOKFIELD. l8l

comfortable home by him, at a time when his business
transactions, in this town were so extensive as to need his
personal attention. Later, it became the summer resort of
himself and family. The residence is a pretty farm cottage,
located in a most romantic spot ; the green and park in
which it is situated give it a picturesque appearance. From
John I. Morgan it passed, together with his immense estate,
into the hands of John A. Dix,* one of New York's ablest
generals and statesmen, and one of her most honored men.

Babcock's Mills, farther south, on Beaver creek, was very
early built up. This hamlet now contains a saw mill, grist
mill, a manufactory of horse-rakes, a cabinet shop ai.d a
meeting house.

It will be seen that most of the earliest settlers located
on the hills ; they held the opinion that hill farms were
more exempt from frosts than valley land. It is remarked
that the farm of Dr. Hackley, a valley farm on the Plainfield
side of the Unadilla, at the Forks, was once offered by the
doctor in a trade, acre for acre, for a hill farm that is not at
the present day considered of great value ; while the Hack-
ley farm is now worth ;^200 per acre.

The population being greater at first in the hilly sections,
embryo villages were earliest planted there. It is said that
the old time Billings tavern, at Five Corners, was the first
tavern opened in town.

Unadilla Forks was a prominent business point before
the building up of Leonardsville, and therefore had a bear-
ing upon the interests of this section of the town. Caleb
Brown was the chief mover in the first building movement
at the Forks. In 1805, he built the first grist mill, which
was in fact the first grist mill in the town of Plainfield.
He afterwards put up an oil mill and clothing works within
the forks, on the eastern Unadilla branch. He also
erected a building for a woolen factory on what was called
the "Island," perhaps three-fourths of a mile south of the

* Elected Governor of New York State, Nov. 5, 1S72.

1 82 MADI90N COUNTY,

Forks. He was preparing to set up machinery, — had
already employed workmen and commenced spinning on
" Jenneys" set up in the chamber of his spacious dwelling,
when his active career was cut short by sickness and death,
leaving his business in an unfinished, unsettled state. Mr.
Brown had also been largely engaged in farming, being
the owner of considerable land in Plainfield, as well as
Brookfield, on which, in each town, he employed workmen.
Upon his death, this, with his manufacturing operations,
ceased. The woolen factory was abandoned. At the pres-
ent date (1870), there is only the grist mill and carding
works in operation, the buildings of the other mechanical
interests having disappeared.

This location, however, was too convenient to be unim-
proved, hence, after the sad and seriously felt ending of
Mr. Brown's enterprises, others were set afoot, and pressed
forward during the subsequent years. At the present date
the place has two churches, a hoe factory, a flouring-mill, a
saw mill, a machine shop, and has a population of two
hundred and fifty-three inhabitants.

In the west part of the town a number of Quakers set-
tled. Prominent among them were: Joseph Collins ist,
Solomon and Hezekiah Collins, a Mr. Sheffield, Gideon
Kenyon, Thomas Kenyon and James Larkin. The three
sons of Joseph Collins, — Job, Peter and Joshua, — and
Albert Button, built up a place called Moscow, now Delancy.
The Collins brothers were saddle and harness makers.
Peter Collins built a tavern, Albert Button built a store, and
Job and Joshua Collins had a number of shops for the
several trades of harness and saddle making, wagon making
and blacksmithing. For about ten years a considerable
business was done in Moscow; but near the year 1830,
these proprietors, desiring a location where better facilities
in the form of water-povver, and easier access to large
business centers were offered, sold out, moved away, and
the abandoned village soon decayed. Some of the best of

BROOKFILLD. 1 83

those deserted buildings have been converted into farm
houses upon the very good farms in the neighborhood.

1 he Quakers had a large society ; they were connected
with that of the town of Madison. For many years their
meetings were held at the house of Thomas Kenyon.
About 1820, their house of worship was built, which was
well filled with devout worshipers at all their meetings, for
about twenty-five years, when death began to decimate the
aged and faithful, the children married "out of the meeting,"
or moved away, the leaders became so few that the meet-
ings grew fewer and farther between, and finally the house was
closed. To-day, the dilapidated building upon Quaker Hill,
once the center of attraction to a large number of devoted,
faithful hearts, where the sunlight of the bright Sabbath
mornings once beamed through lattice and doorway upon
an exquisitely neat and orderly interior, presents naught to
the eye, exteriorly and interiorly, but broken windows,
rotting casements, decaying walls, and gathering dust and
cobwebs. The atmosphere of the whole location seems
pregnant with loneliness. The hill is one of the highest in
this hilly region ; far around are to be seen broad grazing
farms, dotted with herds of cattle, and now and then an
isolated barn, but with very few farm houses in view ;
between the church ruin and highway is the grave yard, —
not all neglected, but quiet and silent as, it seems, suited
the undemonstrative habits, when in life, of those whose
forms are reposing beneath the unostentatious marble
headstones.

The large farms in this vicinity are owned by Messrs
Brand, Collins, Hoxie, and the Stanbros. Three of the
original Quaker families, namely : Hoxie, Collins, Joseph
Collins, jr., and Brier Collins, still reside in the town.

From the limited means we have of ascertaining the
names and origin of other and prominent families, especially
of Clarkville and vicinity, and the more northern part of
Brookfield, we can only add such as have been obtained

1 84 MADISON COUNTY. ]

from published sources, and from other reliable authority.
From these we infer that the different families of Clarks
were conspicuous.

John Clark, and his wife Mary Wait Clark, moved from
Exeter, Rhode Island, in the fall of 1810, and located on lot
No. 16, of the 19th township. Mr. Clark had a family
of eight children. Of the four sons, three resided in
town many years. At the present writing (1870,) only one
resides here — Mr. Wait Clark, of Clarkville.

Capt. Samuel Clark was from Westerly, Rhode Island.
He came to Brookfield in 18 10, and located on lot No.
35, of the* i8th township. He had a family of six sons and
three daughters, all of the sons but one locating in town.
Judge Joseph Clark is one of these sons.

Joshua Whitford, located on lot No. 'j6. He reared
a large family of sons and daughters, who settled in
this town and Plainfield, Otsego Co. They are mostly
farmers, of the enterprising, progressive sort. Several of
the descendants of Joshua Whitford are residents of Brook-
field. This pioneer was one of the first assessors of the
town — chosen in 1795 — and was afterwards for several
years Town Clerk, as was also his son William. He was
an active man in his day in all public affairs.

Patten Fitch, from Massachusetts, came before 1810, and
located two miles north of Clarkville, His father. Dr.
Lemuel Fitch, came with him. Patten Fitch was one of
the surveyors of the town. He also taught one of the
earliest schools, in his own house. He was afterwards a
teacher twenty-seven years in this and the adjoining towns.
Members of his family still reside in town, among whom are
three sons, namely : Patten Fitch, jr., of Clarkville, harness
maker and farmer ; Julius O. Fitch, of Leonardsville,
wagon maker; and EUiot G. Fitch, of North Brookfield, car-
riage maker.

The Livermores, from Vermont, settled in the north part
of Brookfield at an early day. Their location was at the

BROOKFIELD. l85

head of the swamp, near Gorton's Lake. They were an en-
terprising family.

From a recent letter we have the following statement,
which will be of especial interest to the descendants of the
pioneers named : Asa Frink, jr., with his brother George,
left Stonington, Conn., in 1796, — month of March — with
their axes for pioneering, and journeyed to where Clark-
ville now nestles among the hills. George cleared the
ground where the Cemetery is laid out. In the memory of
the writer, the first death in the valley and vicinity of Clark-
ville, was a sister of Asa Frink, She rests in the burying
ground on the flat, or meadow. From Mr. Frink's house
could be seen four family burying grounds.

Resolved Healey settled where North Brookfield is lo-
cated. He died during the early days of the settlement,
from the effects of the " Camp fever " generated at Valley
Forge with Washington's army. Mrs. Asa Frink, the
daughter of Mr. Healey, when eighteen years old, had the
courage to take the fire brand torch and go from one to two
miles, alone, by marked trees, to care for the sick, while
" wolves, grey foxes and owls gave her a concert," as she
expressed it.

As a people the earliest settlers were patriotic and re-
ligious, yet many of them exhibited much of the humorous
in their composition. There are few in our day who relish
a good joke keener than did our ancestors. An apt pun, a
witty repartee, or an amusing anecdote served to flavor the
daily routine of their laborious life. In one way or another
there must be a little " fun, " and often in those times it came
in the form of a practical joke ; if there was a Httle well
merited revenge inflicted, not too severe for the provoca-
tion, it was all the more relished. In illustration we give
the following, which is related of those early settlers : Mr.
C. was a man who cherished his own peculiar ways, and did
not defer to other people's tastes and manners. He had,
moreover, an unfortunate deformity of his mouth, which

1 86 MADISON COUNTY.

gave a nasal sound to his rather inarticulate speech. The
wedding of his son, Joe C, was about to transpire, an event
which had been kept "shady" from the old gentlemen in
order to prevent his attendance, as his peculiarities would
certainly be displayed, were he present, to the offense of the
good taste of the company. A cousin of Joe's, a wicked wag,
had also been overlooked in the distribution of invitations,
and being chagrined by it determined to perpetrate a joke at
the bridegroom's expense. Accordingly on the day of the
wedding, which was to take place at the residence of one of
Brookfield's pioneer ministers,this cousin rode to old Mr. C.'s
in great haste, and in well-assumed excitement, called out,

" Mr. C , hurry ! get on to your horse as quick as you

can ! — Elder Cottrell's mule has kicked Joe's brains out ! —
Be quick, for he's dead by this time !" The great, brawny
old man leaped upon his horse, and thrusting his heels into
the animal's flanks, pushed ahead with all possible speed.
The astonished neighbors noticed, as he flew past, that at
intervals of a few seconds he leaned forward and groaned,
" Joe's dead ! — Joe's dead !" Arrived at the Elder's, he
threw himself from his horse and rushed wildly into the
house, just in time to witness the half-completed marriage
ceremony. The old man stood aghast. " My G — d ! Joe
haint dead !" he exclaimed, in his moderate nasal articula-
tion ; " h — 11 ! I wouldn't been so disappinted fer twenty-
five dollars !"

ADDITIONAL ITEMS,

It is stated that at the time of the great eclipse in 1806,
the people in Brookfield, not having been supplied with
almanacs, were unforewarned of its approach, and conse-
quently, when it came on, many were frightened, fearing the
consummation of all things was approaching.

" Uncle Paine Wait," as he was familiarly called, was a
Revolutionary soldier, who lived to the advanced age of one
hundred and four years. He was a well-known resident of

BROOKFIELD. 1 87

Brookfield from the " early days." His famous peculiarity
was, that he would never go to mill with a horse, always
carrying- his grist on his back. He was the father of ten
children. He was remarkably robust till within a few weeks
of his death, when he undertook a long walk, exhausted his
strength, and was taken ill in the house of Mrs. John Brown
of Clarkville, and died in a few weeks.

In 1813, a terrible epidemic prevailed, which considerably
decimated the population, and removed hence many of the
first settlers.

OBITUARIES.

"Died in Brookfield, March 31st, 1831, Rev. Henry Clark,
aged 74 years. He was among the first settlers, and organized
the first Seventh Day Baptist Church in that town, of which he
had the pastoral care until within a few years of his death, when
his age and infirmities obliged him to resign it. He left, of
lineal descendants, nine children, fifty-one grand-children, and
twenty great-grand children." [Madison Observer & Recorder.]

" Died in Brookfield, on the morning of Feb.> 13th, 1830.
Capt. Samuel Clarke, aged 75 years. In an early part of the
Revolution he entered the service of his country as an officer in
the army, and served the term of his enlistment (one year), which
for several of the last years of his life entitled him to a pension,
which he received with gratitude. He was afterwards several
times called into the service of his country in his native State
(Rhode Island), and always discharged his duties with signal
bravery and faithfulness. At different periods during the war,
he accumulated a handsome property by industry, and invested
nearly the whole of it in a valuable sloop and cargo, which, with
himself and several other men, was unfortunately captured by a
band of marauders known as " Refugees." The ill-treatment
he then received, had the effect of causing him to look with a
jealous eye upon the conduct of the armies of his country. He
early embraced the religion of Jesus, and in his last severe sick-
ness its effects upon him were most comforting and supporting,
and to his friends a source of great consolation."

" Died, in January, 1866, Lawton Palmer, jr., aged 73 years.
He was the fi.rst one born in the town of Brookfield, and lived his
whole life and died on his farm about four miles from his birth-
place."

"Died in Brookfield, February i8th, 1810, Abigail, wife of

l88 MADISON COUNTY.

Capt. Daniel Brown, aged 76 years ; also, in Brookfield, Decem-
ber 25th, 1814, ('apt. Daniel Brown, in the 90th year of his age."

Aged Pioneers. — John Button and his wife, Anna, lived to
advanced ages. Anna died in 1 840, aged ninety-three years ;
John Button died in 1841, aged nine-two years. In the last
years of his life, the chief desire of Mr. Button's heart \vas,
to live to behold his descendant of the fifth generation ; and
his wish was gratified. In the year 1840, his great-grand-
daughter. Amy Lodema Jaquay, to his great delight visited
him, bringing with her a great-great-grand-daughter. This
member of the fifth generation was Hannah Jaquay, now
the wife of Garner Crandall of Brookfield.

Elias Button died about the year 1828, at the age of one
hundred and five years. For sixty years of his life he was
a school teacher, laying down his duties only when the in-
firmities of eighty years compelled him to yield. His ac-
count boolcs, which have been preserved by his relatives, ex-
hibit beautiful specimens of penmanship, and bear unmis-
takable evidences of practical scholarship, order, brevity and
good taste. The thick, coarse paper belongs to the period
of the Colonial days, and bears the royal stamp of the Eng-
lish crown.

Stephen Hoxie came from Charlestown, Washington
County, R. I. His ancestor, Ludowick Hoxie, came from
England. Four sons, named Joseph, John, Gideon and
Presbury, and one daughter, Anna, were born to Ludowick
Hoxie. From the line of John our pioneej descended, one
of the latter's sons, named Stephen, being the one through
whom the line is traced. Among the eleven children of
this Stephen, was Stephen, jr., our Brookfield pioneer. He
removed here with a wife and three sons, Luke, John and
Solomon, and two daughters, Mary and Ruth. His oldest
son, Ludowick, never lived here. Luke, John and Solo-
mon, cleared large farms near their father's, and their de-
scendants, or many of them, are now residing in the town.
John Hoxie located at the foot of the hill, on the corners

BROOKFIELD. 1 89

where the main street crosses the turnpike, north of Leon-
ardsville. He built at an early day the fine old dwelling-
house which stands here, and which has recently been
thoroughly repaired and made over by his son. Nelson
Hoxie,* who owns this farm. Another son, John, lives
near by on the Plainfield side of the river.

Stephen Hoxie was one of the prominent men of his
time and locality ; first in reducing the wilderness and pro-
moting agricultural advancement, and first in the councils
of the new country. He was a man of superior qualities,
morally, intellectually and physically. In religious belief he
was strictly orthodox, and held to the creed of the Quakers,
or Friends. His life was an example of strict integrity and
broad philanthrophy — always living what he professed.
Politically, he had the confidence of all parties ; he was the
first Supervisor of the town, and held that office for many
years ; he was appointed a Justice of the Peace when that
office was filled by appointment, and continued to hold it
by election till nearly the close of his life ; he was elected
to the State Legislature from the County of Chenango for
two terms — the years 1803 and 1804. He died in the year
1839, aged 10 1 years and 4 menths.

Judge Joseph Clark, sonof Capt. Samuel Clark, located
in Clarkville about 18 10, and has since resided there, very
nearly on the same location, one door east of thepostoffice.
He was the first Postmaster of this village and continued in
that position twenty years. He was also Town Clerk
twenty years ; Supervisor, fifteen years ; Justice of the
Peace over twenty years. He served in the Militia in the
war of 18 12, being a considerable time on duty at Sackett's
Harbor ; was commissioned Ensign, and passed from this
position through the successive offices to Colonel of the reg-
iment, before the war closed. He was elected Judge of the
Court of Common Pleas and served for a term of ten years.
In 1824, he was elected to the Assembly, again in 1828,

* Now (1872,) decea.-cd.

1 90

MADISON COUNTY.

and the third time in 1835. In 1839, ^^ was elected to the
State Senate for a term of four years. In all positions his in-
tegrity was conspicuous, while his sound sense, discretion,
and abilities fully sustained the confidence the people reposed
in him.*

LEONARDSVILLE.

Before the close of the last century, Joseph Crumb and
Stephen Clark built a grist mill on the Unadilla, about half
way between Leonardsville and the Forks. On raising this
dam, it was found that the water flowed back upon the mill
at the Forks, damaging its operations ; this necessitated a
removal. It was next located on the present mill site in
Leonardsville, and became the nucleus of the village.

Reuben Leonard, a man of wealth and enterprise, came
on here and started a store, the first one of the place, in
1 801. It was located on land now enclosed within John
Babcock's door-yard. The first postoffice of the town was
kept here, and was named from Mr. Leonard ; hence the
name of Leonardsville. The Leonard store in later years
was moved across the street orr the southeast corner of the
cross roads, and was occupied in its several divisions as a
dwelling, grocery, shops, &c. Early in 1849, the building
was pretty thoroughly repaired and refitted, and is now the
store of Nathan V. Brand. A profitable trade has always
been carried on here. Mr. Leonard did business on an ex-
tensive plan. He built, and for several years run, a large
potashery, to which was attached a pearling oven, Vvhere
the first pearl-ash of the country v/as made ; he also built a
tannery and distillery which were in operation many years.

There were also other enterprises at an early day. Ethan
Burdick had a potash works, and Harry Hinckley built a
tannery ; the latter was taken down in 1869.

The first church organization of the town was effected
here in 1797. In a few years after, the society built their
house of worship on the site of the present one. There

*Recently deceased.

BROOKFIELD, I9I

was a tavern, built by Leonard, which passed through va-
rious hands, — occupied in turn by Dennison Brown, Isaac
Brown, Alvin Clark, Isaac Miner and several others. It
was repaired about 1 868, and was afterwards burned ; the
site is not now (1870) occupied. Not many years after the
Leonard store was built, Ethan Burdick erected another,
which was sold to Charles Munson & Brother, then to
Dennis Hardin, afterwards to N. Brand & Co., and by the
latter to the " Leonardsville Manufacturing Company."
Daniel Hardin then bought it, and for a number of years
did a good business, selling everything usually found in a
country store. He rented it some six or eight years to
Charles R. Maxon, the latter occupying it till about 1868,
when it was burned, " The old store on the corner," as
this was familiarly called, was a way-mark for many years ',
from time to time it was repaired and added to, changed
and modernized, so that at the time of its burning it had
assumed the character and proportions of a block, in which
was a dry goods store, a bank, a Good Templar's Hall, a
shoe store, a tailor's shop, &c. The ground it occupied was
purchased by Dennis Hardin and filled up for a door-yard.
No one who now sees this inclosure in summer, gay with
flowers, would imagine that on the same spot, for long, long
years, men bought and sold, and sat out the long winter
evenings, planning in concert and dreaming of the luture.
With the "old store" many of those old neighboring deni-
zens have passed away, their places being filled with
strangers. On the corner above, a clothing store was built
about 1853 or '54, by James H. Brand and Edwin Clark ; it
passed into the hands of F. P. King, and in 1862, shared
the fate of many other business institutions in Leonards-
ville ; it was destroyed by fire. On the next corner Samuel
Collins built a store ; he sold to Wm, H. Brown ; Mr.
Brown to A. M. Griffin ; the latter to H. W. North ; and it
is now (1870) occupied by Irving A. Crandall.

Leonardsville was early distinguished for its manufactures ;

192 MADISON COUNTY.

they steadily increased in prosperity, giving life, growth and
progress to the village. Previous to 1830, Samuel Brand
set up a manufactory for scythes and hoes ; the business was
prosperous and he increased it from time to time. Later,
it was operated under the name of Brand & Son. All
departments of business here prospered in their day ; but
the time came when potasheries run down, for the want
of the raw material to supply them ; and when hemlock bark
became scarce, tanneries also found less to do ; and so one
ceased operations and then another ; but in their stead
grew up other enterprises. About 1843 or '44, the scythe
and hoe factory became the property of N. Brand & Co.,
who added to the establishment the manufacture of forks.
In 1852, it became the property of the combined firm,
under the name of the " Leonardsville Manufacturing
Company." All the mills upon the stream in this village,
viz : — the grist mill, saw mill, fork shop, horse rake factory,
wagon shop, furnace and machine shop, belonged to this
firm. A great amount of business was transacted, many
workmen being employed ; the wares and products of the
company found market far and near, and Leonardsville
was justly proud of her reputation as a manufacturing
village. In 1857, the company dissolved, sold out to difter-
ent persons, and each place of business was again operated
separately, or in its own interests alone. During the
ownership of the company, however, the grist mill, saw
mill and fork factory, were burned ; but they were speedily
rebuilt. These manufactories, except the fork factory,
have continued in operation to the present time.

Leonardsville Bank, an Associated Company, was incor-
porated Feb. 27, 1856, with a capital of $100,000. First
Directors, Ezra K. Hoxie, Luke Hoxie, Dennis Hardin,
Washington S. Green, Vinson R. Howard, John Rogers,
Nathan Brainard, Christopher Langworthy, Wait Clark,
Nathan T. Brown, Samuel L. Brown, Noyes Stillman.
First officers, President, N. T. Brown ; vice-President,
Luke Hoxie ; Cashier, Dennis Hardin ; Jno. O. Wheeler

BROOKFIELD. l^

Teller and Book-keeper. This was changed to the Firsl
National Bank of Lconardsville, and was subsequently
merged in the Ilion National Bank, and a private bank
established in its place under the old name of Leonardsville
Bank, with Dennis H ardin, President, John O. Wheeler,
Cashier.

CLARKVILLE,

Or Brookfield, P. O., was originally called " Bailey's Cor-
ners," after Dr. Bailey, one of the earliest resident phy-
sicians. During the infancy of this village, its growth
was materially forwarded by the building of a foundry
'"y Joseph Clark. He also built a carding and clothier
works. Jonathan Babcock built a tannery some fifty years
ago, which did a heavy-business for many years.

Ethan Babcock kept the first tavern, which was built by
Reuben Leonard. It was situated on the present location
of the Clarkville Hotel, now kept by Henry Keith. Mr.
Leonard also built the first store, which is now standing,
and is owned by Joseph Elliot. It is conspicuous on
the west side of Main street, nearly opposite the residence
of Joseph Clark, and bears the name of" S. Collins," one of
its long-ago storekeepers. Mr. Leonard erected these
buildings about 1810 or '12.

About 1830, Clarkville was one of the liveliest political
centers of the country, several exciting issues then pending ;
— " Anti-Masonry vs. Masonry," the " Chenango Canal,"
and " Sunday Mails," then prominent matters, in turn agi-
tating the country. This village had its prominent men,
who were men of influence in county and state ; so it
shared in these agitations, and acted no unimportant part
in effecting final decisions.

Something of a contest ensued on the changing of the
name of the place from " Bailey's Corners " to " Clarkville ;"
but the high esteem in which Judge Clark was held pre-
vailed, and in his honor the place was named and incorpo-
rated April 5th, 1834. In 1840, Clarkville had 450 inhab-
M

194

MADISON COUNTY,

itants, eighty dwelling-houses, one church, two taverns,
five stores, one iron foundry, one fulling mill, two tan-
neries, three carriage-shops and two cabinet shops. A
manufactory for making hoes, horse rakes and other
farming utensils, was one of the large business enterprises
of later years. Since 1850, it failed; the premises were
sold to Samuel Gordon, who converted them into a grist
mill and tannery ; and within a few years he has built a
cheese factory contiguous. An extensive and prosperous
business is the result.

Brookficld Academy was first built by subscription as a
free school house. In April, 1847, it was incorporated by
Legislature, with the above name. First trustees : Wait
Clark, Pres., Dr. Bailey, Benjamin Gorton, Ethan Stillman,
William Greene, 2d, Hosea B. Clark, &c. With a few ex-
ceptions the board remains the same. First Principal,
Ludowick York, A. M. ; Assistant, Philander Wood. Rev.
R. T. Taylor, now proprietor of the Pittsburg (Pa.) Female
College, and Professor of Languages, was principal of this
academy during the years 1850 and '51.

North Brookfield. — In the north part of the town,
west of the center, on a tributary to the Chenango river,
lies this village. For many years it was but a hamlet, hav-
ing a store, a blacksmith shop, and a tavern, the latter for
many years kept by Mr. Alby, a colored man. He and his
excellent wife, Jenny Alby, are well remembered, and were
respected people.

This is a great hop-growing locality, and wealth gained
by engaging in the culture of this product is evident on
every hand. Among the prominent families are the Terrys.
IMorgans, Livermores, Faulkners, Fitchs, Gortons and
others, many of whom, if not all, were of the old and early
settled families in this part of the town. Within the last
quarter century, the village has mostly grown up, and ol
late its growth and progress has been decidedly marked.
No village in the county has a greater reputation for wagon

BROOKFIELD.

19s

manufactures. In every village, and on farms all over
Madison County, and in Oneida, Otsego and Chenango
counties, are seen the North Brookfield wagons and car-
riages, which have given the names of Gorton & Fitch a
wide reputation. The King & Cheesebro firm adds to the
manufactures of th^ place. North Brookfield has also other
enterprizes, viz., a furnace, grist mill, saw mill, cheese fac-
tory, a hotel, two stores, a Baptist church, and has a pop-
ulation of about 300 inhabitants.

South Brookfield, or "Babcocks Mills," as sometimes
called, is situated in the south part of the town on Beaver
Creek. The Mills — a grist mill and saw mill — were built
up by the Babcocks in the early settlement of the country.
They were influential and respected people, ondmany of their
descendants live in South Brookfield yet. Besides the grist
mill and saw mill, the village has a horse-rake factory, a
cheese box factory, a cabinet shop, and other mechanics'
shops ; it has also a neat Methodist Church, a store and post
office. A Good Templar's Lodge was organized here in
the year 1870, which is a flourishing institution. M.dison
County Lodge held its session with South Brookfield
Lodge in May, 1872.

TJie First Seventh Day Baptist C/iurch of Brookfield,
located at Leonardsville, was organized October 3, 1797.
The house of worship was built in 1802. The first pastor
was Rev. Henry Clark, who served twenty-four years. In
18 3, two churches were set off from this, viz : The 2d
Seventh Day Baptist Chiireh of Brookfield, located two miles
north of Clarkville, which eventually became known as the
" Clarkville S. D. Baptist Church," and the ■^d Seventh
Day Baptist Chureh, located one mile north of Babcocks
Mills.

The Baptist Church at Chukvillewses, formed July 7, 1798.
Elder Simeon Brown was first pastor. The first meeting
house was built at Five Corners. The society subsequent-
Iv removed to Clarkville, and with the 2d Seventh Day

196 MADISON COUNTY.

Baptist Church, built a meeting house at that village.
After this removal the first pastor of the Baptist Church
was Elder Holland Turner, and the first pastor of the S. D.
Baptist Church was Rev. Elias Bailey.

The MetJiodist CJmrcJi of Clarkville was organized about
1800, the class being formed by Rev. Henry Giles. The
first pastor was Rev. Barzilla Willey. The first meeting
house was built about 1820, and was located on lot 43, i8th
Township. The society removed to Clarkville, and at a
late date built a house of worship there.

CAZENOVIA. 197

CHAPTER IV.

CAZENOVIA.

Formation of the town. — Boundaries. — Geographical features. —
Treaties of 1788. — The Road Township purchased of the
Indians. — Indian occupation of this land. — The Holland
Company. — John Lincklaen's Explorations. — Discovery of
Lake Owahgena. — The Holland Purchase. — The Pioneer's
Journey. — Names of Pioneers. — Rapid settlement. — Division
of Road Township into four towns. — Laying out and naming of
the village of Cazenovia. — Adventures with bears. — Early set-
tlers.— First Town officers. — Division of the town in 1798. —
Cazenovia village in 1803. — Incorporation of Cazenovia vil-
lage.— Enterprise and progress. — Manufactures and Business
firms. — C. N. Y. C. Seminary. — Biographical Sketches and
Notices of Prominent Men. — New Woodstock. — Churches. —
Newspapers.

Cazenovia was formed from Paris and Whitestown,
Herkimer County, March 5th, 1795. DeRuyter was taken
off in 1798, Sullivan in 1803, Smithfield and Nelson in
1807, and a part of Fenner in 1823. It is the center town
on the western border of the county, and is bounded on
the north by Sullivan, east by Fenner and Nelson, south by
DeRuyter, and west by Onondaga County. The surface of
this town is a rolling upland, broken by the deep valleys of
the Chittenango and Limestone Creeks. The summits of
the hills are 200 to 500 feet above the valleys.
Cazenovia Lake (called Owahgena, meaning " the lake
where the yellow fish swim," or "yellow perch hike,")
a beautiful sheet of water about four miles long, lies in the

IqS MADISON COUNTY.

-northern part. Its shores slope gently back from the
water's edge, where handsome farms, unrivalled for richness
by any in the county, are now spread out to view.

The lake lies at a great elevation above tide water, and
Chi tenango Creek which bears away its waters, is a feeder
of the Erie Canal. This stream has in its course a fail
of several hundred feet, affording a great number of mill
sites.

At Chittenango Fall, about three miles from Cazenovia
village, the water plunges in a beautiful cascade, perpen-
dicularly, over a ledge of limestone rock, 136 feet
in hight. There is no scenery in this part of the
State more charming than along the course of this
creek from the village to the Falls. The road is excellently
graded and macadamized, and winds with the stream
between the mountainous hights, which, a part of the dis-
tance, rise on either side, while the river flows swiftly
down the descent, rushing over rocks, eddying around huge
boulders, which everywhere lie in the stream — seeming to
be detached fragments from distant mountains, sent hither
by some powerful effort of nature, and hurled with terrible
impetus into the waters. It is a singularly romantic, wild
and awe inspiring spot, ^t the foot of the fall, as one stands
in the deep shadows of overhanging rocks, perpendicular
hills and thick forest, the gloom increased by rising spray,
the changing and uncertain lights and shades glancing on
the falling, foaming torrent, the rush, the roar, the boiling,
trembling basin, the quivering earth with its apparently
unstable footing.*

The DeRuyter and Oneida Plank Road, which was built
in 1848, in passing this route, found its most difficult ob-
stacles in the gorge near the falls, where an elevation of
800 feet was overcome by a gradual ascent, which in
no place exceeds six feet in one hundred. The old road re-

*The writer visited this spot at the close of a cloudy October day j hence lhes:e

impressions.

CAZENOVIA. 199

quired an aggregate ascent of 1,600 feet. The plank road
rendered available a water-power hitherto useless ; its en-
tire fall is 750 feet. From Cazenovia to Chittenango this
road has been recently macadamized.

Limestone Creek flows across the south part of the town.
On this stream, near the southwest border of the town, are
two beautiful cascades, called Delphi Falls, one of which is
ninety feet in hight, the other between sixty and seventy.
Hydraulic and common limestone are quarried near Chit-
tenango Falls, in the northern and central parts ; the soil
is a gravelly loam. In the southern part of the town a
clayey loam soil prevails, underlaid with hard pan.

As we turn our attention to the history of this region, we
are enabled to go beyond the day when it was called Caze-
novia, into the ancient time when it was a part of the broad
territory of VVhitestown. The far-reaching trails of the
Iroquois had pointed the way of emigration into northern
Madison County. A sort of semi-civilization was accom-
plished through the intercourse of the Indians and whites,
in their days of war and of peace, as far back as the six-
teenth century, so that the savage had learned many of the
useful arts, with, probably, some additional viciousness ; and
the Englishman and Frenchman, more often the latter, had
mingled his blood with the race of the red man ; for the
white man desired this beautiful country, and rather than
not dwell in it, he willingly took up his abode with the ab-
original possessors. When peace succeeded the troublous
times of the Revolution, the controllers of the public welfare,
knowing well the value of these lands, and knowing, also,
that the time had come when peacable arrangements could
be made with the Indians, effected amicable treaties with
them, by which large tracts were obtained for settlement.
In 1788, treaties were made, through which the " Military
Tract " of Onondaga, the Chenango " Twenty Towns," and
the " Gore," lying between them, were obtained. The
Military Tract was appropriated to " Soldiers' Rights;" and
while the Twenty Towns were sold to different purchasers^

200 MADISON COUNTY.

the Gore, or its proceeds, were to be appropriated to the
laying out of new roads. Therefore it was named " Road
Township." It was a tract about thirty-five miles long,
from north to south, four and a half miles wide at the
northern extremity, and about four miles at the southern
containing about 100,000 acres of land. The project of
opening the great Genesee, as well as a road from the salt
springs in Onondaga County, which should traverse Road
Township to Chenango, in the Twenty Towns, was in con-
templation, but nothing was done until after the sale of this
tract to the Holland Land Company.

Previous to the treaties of 1788, this town was in the
domain of the Oneidas, and was considered as their reserve
hunting ground ; and the lake, so well stored with fish, was
their especial property. Though their village lay at the
northward (at Canaseraga), yet they kept a well-defined
path to and up the Chittenango Creek to the lake, where
they built their temporary cabins, reduced the timber, con-
structed apparatus for fishing, and otherwise betook them-
selves to the pursuits of their race. At the head of the lake
they evidently, at some time, established themselves with
some degree of permanency, and cultivated small fields of
corn. There some of their number have been buried.
In i86r, when the citizens of this School District (No. 5)
were sinking a hole to set their liberty pole, near the school
house, a large skeleton of an' Indian was found buried in a
sitting posture, with hatchets, pipes, beads and other arti-
cles which the Indian was supposed to need on his journey
to the Spirit land. The circumstance of the remains of a
breast-work-like fortification, which could be seen for many
years after the settlement by white people, just east of this
school house, and the frequent bringing to light as the soil
was cultivated, of various implements of domestic use, such
as heavy stone mallets or pestles, worn smooth by friction,
— apparently of the kind used in pounding corn, — of stone
hatchets, (sometimes broken,) of rather ingenious make.

CAZENOVIA. 20I

and other peculiarly-formed implements — the use of which
is unknown at the present day — curious beads, &c.,* all
would indicate something like a permanent residence,
where their Indian arts flourished for a season, where they
found abundant sport as well as sustenance in fishing, and
also in hunting, — for bears and deer were plenty, and otter
and beaver were not scarce, — and where their little fields of
corn grew thriftily. They were undoubtedly one of the
families of the great Confederacy, established here for a
season ; not at all isolated, as evidences of about equal an-
tiquity of the proximity of neighbors are found on what was
called the " Fort Lot," two miles to the westward, near
Oran, Onondaga County. This family may have been
driven from here at last by some invading foe,t or perhaps
they abandoned their fortifications (which the Indians inva-
riably erected around their villages,) for some more congenial
spot.

The antiquities of Fort Lot are graphically described in a
letter written in 1845, by J. H. V. Clark of Manlius, N. Y.,
to Mr. Schoolcraft, and published in " Schoolcraft's Notes
on the Iroquois," from which the following extract is made :

"A locality in the town of Cazenovia, Madison Co., N. Y.,
near the County line, and on Lot ;i^, township of Pompey, Onon-
daga Co., is called the " Indian Fort." * * * * It is about
four miles southeasterly from Manlius village, situated on a slight

* Found upon the farms of W. B. Downer and G. R. Southwell, who have pre-
served many of these curiosities for the benefit of the antiquarian.

f This supposition is strengthened by the following: In September, i86i,a
sunken canoe or " dug out," filled with stones, was discovered in the lake by a party
of three gentlemen fishing. They succeeded in getting the canoe to the surface
and towing it ashore. Its antique appearance excited much interest among the
Cazenovians, and thereupon was kindled a flame of enthusiasm for the departed
nobility of the race once the unquestioned lords of Lake Owahgena, who had sunk
their canoes that the invading foe might not possess them. It was decided to re-
turn the relic to its bed of aquatic weeds, where it had evidently long rested, with
ceremonials befitting the occasion. Accordingly, on the 12th day of the succeed-
ing October, all Cazenovia gathered at the Lake to witness the unique proceedings,
in which thirty-one persons from among the most prominent citizens, dressed in
aboriginal costume, took part. For a description of the ceremonies the reader is
referred to the Cazenovia Republican, October i6th, 1861, and also to a photo-
graphic picture of the scene, preserved among a choice collection of pictures at the
office of J. D. Ledyard, Cazenovia.

202 MADISON COUNTY

eminence, which is nearly surrounded by a deep ravine, t'.ie
banks of which are quite steep and somewhat rocky. The ravine
is in shape like an ox bow, made by two streams which pass
nearly around if and unite. Across this bow at the opening was
an earthen wall running southeast and northwest, and when first
noticed by the early settlers was four or five feet high, straight,
with something of a ditch in front, from two to three feet deep.
Within this inclosure may be about ten or twelve acres of land.
A part of this land when first occupied in these latter times was
called 'the Prairie,' and is noted now among the old men as the
place where the first battalion training was held in the County of
Onondaga. But that portion near the wall and in front of it, has
recently, say five years ago (1840), been cleared of a heavy
growth of black oak timber. Many of the trees were large, and
were probably 150 or 200 years old. Some were standing in the
ditch and others on the top of the embankment. There is a con-
siderable burying place within the enclosure. The plow has al-
ready done much toward leveling the wall and ditch, still they
can easily be traced the whole extent. A few more plovvings
and harrowings and no vestige of them will remain."

Mr. Clark picked up specimens of dark brown pottery.
He adds that " every variety of Indian relic has been found
there." One fact which has come to the knowledge of the
author may be mentioned. Two cannon balls, of about
three pounds each, were found in this vicinity, apparently
long imbedded in the earth, indicating that light cannon
may have been used, either for defence or in the reduction
of this fortification, or both. Mr. Clark says further :

" There is a large rock in the ravine on the south, on which
are inscribed the following characters — thus : IIIIIX, cut three-
fourths of an inch broad, nine inches long, three-fourths of an
^inch deep, perfectly regular, lines straight. Whether this is a
work of fancy, or of significance, is not known. * * * *
There is a singular coincidence in the location of these fortifica-
tions. * * * * They are nearly if not quite all situated on
land rather elevated above that which is immediately contiguous,
and surrounded, or partly so, by deep ravines, so that these form
a part of the fortifications themselves. At one of these, on the
farm of David Williams, in Pompey, the banks on either side are
found to contain bullets of lead, as if shot across at opposing
forces. The space between them may be three or four rods, and
the natural cutting twenty or twenty-five feet deep."

However the facts may be, concerning these Indian set-

CAZENOVIA. 203

tlements, the last of the race who were dwellers of these lo-
calities had disappeared before the advent of the white set-
tlers in 1792, and all outward marks of their presence have
since gradually faded ; and did not the earth, as it is oc-
casionally turned to the light by the furrow of the husband-
man, yield a memento, oblivion would utterly cover every
vestige of their past history.

By the time the Government of New York State had be-
come possessed of the lands of the Iroquois, the fame of
their wonderful excellencies had winged its way to the
crowded cities of Europe, and men of .vealth and high stand-
ing caught the spirit of emigration. As soon as they were
offered for sale, companies were formed to invest in these
lands. In Amsterdam, Holland, one was formed called the
" Holland Land Company," its object being to make estab-
lishments in the wilds of America. The names of the in-
dividuals forming this company were : Peter Stadnitski,
Nicholas Van Staphorst, Peter Van Eeghen, HendrickVal-
lenhoven, Aernout Van Beeftingh, Wolrave Van Heuke-
lom, and who afterwards, with Jacob Van Staphorst,
Christian Van Eeghen, Isaac Ten Gate, Christiana Coster,
widow of Peter Stadnitski, and Jan Stadnitski, citizens of
Netherlands, were the original Holland landowners. The-
ophilus Cazenove was their first general agent to America.
He took up his residence in Philadelphia, and through him
the celebrated " Holland Purchase" of the Genesee country
was obtained.

"'^'- Under the patronage of Peter Stadnitski, who while liv-
ing was the President of the Holland Company, John
Lincklaen of Amsterdam, was sent into the United States
to explore the new countries, and to make a purchase of a
tract of land if he should find an advantageous situation.
Accordingly he arrived in Philadelphia in the year 1796,
bearing letters of instruction to Theophilus Cazenove. In-
spired with zeal for his mission, Mr. Lincklaen, in the month
of September, 1792, having completed his preparations

204 MADISON COUNTY.

for a tour in the wilderness, employed two hardy woodsmen
to accompany him, and immediately set out, directing his
course by the southern route through Scoharie to the Che-
nango Twenty Towns ; his object being to explore them
and the Gore, — contemplating the purchase of the latter and
some one of the Twenty Towns.

During his journey, Mr. Lincklaen kept a journal, which
has been preserved by his family (having been translated
from the French in which it was originally written), in which
we trace his journeyings through the pathless forest, and
note in his progress his stopping at Hovey's,* at Oxford,
from whence the road was being opened to Cayuga Lake.
He states that the " surveyors employed by Hovey are Na-
thaniel Locke, of Westchester County, and Walter Sabin,
who lives on the Susquehanna, near Mercereau's. Each
surveyor has with him five men, viz: two chainmen, two
markmen, and one to carry provisions. The surveyor,
when running the outlines, has $2 per day, and when tell-
ing out, $1.50. Each man that goes in the woods, carries
provisions for a fortnight or twenty days. Sabin runs com-
monly five or six miles a day, Locke eight or ten miles a
day, Locke's hands have $10 a month, Sabin's only ^8."
Here Mr. Lincklaen employed one of Hovey's men, when
the party of four started on their westerly route. During
the few subsequent days, the party, by zigzag marches, trav-
ersed several of the southern-most of the Twenty Town-
ships, Mr. Lincklaen making his observations of the soil,
its productions, and the climate as far as indications could
aid him, with discrimination, noting particular locations
with accuracy, entering in his journal the names of the orig-
inal purchasers of tracts in the sections he passed through
which were already sold, and adding thereto many state-
rrients which to the seeker after historical facts are regarded
as especially interesting. On Monday, the 8th of October,
the east line of the Gore was reached, from whence Mr.

*See N. Y. State Gazetteer, pages 229 and 655.

CAZENOVIA, 205

Lincklaen's course was mainly directed to the northward,
exploring thoroughly this, and the townships bordering on
the east. With Road Township (the Gore), its handsome
valleys and streams, its land of excellent quality, its noble
timber, he pronounced himself well pleased.

Mr. Lincklaen's journal tells us that on the afternoon of
Thursday, October 11, 1792, he arrived at the foot of the
beautiful lake in Cazenovia, where the party encamped for
the night. As the result of a reconnoitre he wrote: "The
situation is superb, and the lands are beautiful." The re-
cord continues : " Friday the 1 2th. — We journeyed from
the lake north and east to the Genesee road, through lands
both good and bad, the timber chiefly oak and poplar. We
came to Canaseraga Creek, where five German families are
settled ; they are poor. On the other side of the creek is
the Indian settlement. We went to the house of John Den-
ny ; there was no bread, no meat."* John Denny was a
tavern keeper among the Oneidas.

Directing his next course through the northern tier of
the Twenty Towns, he passed through Sherburne, Che-
nango County, where he found one Mr. Guthrie, who had
been there three or four months ; thence passed through a
corner of Otsego County, and there tarried a season with
Louis DeVillieis,t on Aldrich Creek, town of Morris.
From this place he set out upon his return journey to
Philadelphia via New York, where he arrived after a month's
absence, the object of his tour satisfactorily accomplished.
Mr. Cazenove was well pleased with his report, and greatly
admired the spirit of his enterprising young friend, and the
perseverance which enabled one accustomed to the elegan-
cies and luxuries of life to endure a protracted tour in the
wilderness, with the tent for his lodging place, and bread
and pork for his fare. As a result of Mr. Lincklaen's

*This was the year after the breaking up of the homes of the pioneers of Sulli-
van, in the history of which town will be found the cause of their destitution.
jSee N. Y. S. Gazetteer, page 535.

200 • MADISON COUNTY.

explorations, the Holland Company purchased Road Town-
ship and No. i of the Twenty towns, (Nelson) the latter
coiitaining 20,000 acres of land, which, added to the
R)rmer, comprised a territory of 120,000 acres, and extended
over the present towns of German, Pitcher and Lincklaen,
in Chenango County, and DeRuyter, Nelson, and the
southern part of Cazenovia in Madison County. Mr.
Lincklaen was appointed agent, with an uiterest in the pur-
chase, to settle these lands. The nortJieru part of Cazeno-
via was then a part of the Oneida Reservation, and
subsequently a portion of Peter Smith's tract.*

During the winter of 1793, Mr. Sam del S. Foreman, to
whose narrative we are indebted for much of the material
for this portion of Cazenovia's history, became acquainted
with Mr. Cazenove and Mr. Lincklaen in Philadelphia,
and by them was appointed clerk to accompany the latter
inlo the backwoods, to commence the new settlement. By
appointment, Mr. Foreman met Mr. Lincklaen in New-
York, in April, 1793, where a large assortment of goods,
comprising all articles necessary for a settlement, were pur-
chased. From here the merchandize was taken up the
North River and the Mohawk to Old Fort Schuyler (Utica),
and left in the care of John Post, the only merchant then
in that place ; Mr. Foreman forwarding only one load to
Cazenovia on the first journey out. From here, with the
three Jerseymen, — John Wilson, carpenter, Michael Day,
mason, James Smith, teamster, — whom Mr. Lincklaen
brought with him, having engaged their services for a year,
and two waiters, Philip Jacob Swartz, and a large
German whose name is forgotten, together with seven
more employed for the expedition, whose names were:
James Green, David Fa}', Stephen F. Blackstone, Philemon
Tuttle, David Freeborn, Gideon Freeborn and Asa C.

* About the time uf the laying out of the village of Cazenovia, Mr Linciclaen
purchased large portions of the New Petersburgh tract in different sections of the
four Allotments, to the amount of upwards of io,OQO acres, which added to the
fifot purchase, coresiituted a tract of 130,000 acres at that time in his pooSesiiLin.

CAZENOVIA, 207

Towns, all started to the westward on the newly opened
Genesee Road. A few days' provisions were in each knap-
sack, each axman with his ax on his shoulder, and a
yoke of oxen and a cart loaded with provisions for both
man and beast, together with all implements of husbandry
and for domestic use which their primitive beginning-
would require, made up the cavalcade.

The first day they proceeded as far as Wemple's tavern,
Oneida Castle ; the next day reached Canaseraga and put
up at the tavern of John Denny, a half-breed Indian, who
had been a Captain in the Revolution, and spoke good
English. The third day the company continued on the
Genesee Road as far as Chittenango, where they left it,
turning to the south and following the Indian path up the
crooked course of the creek, the axmen being obliged to
widen the way for the passage of the cart It was ascer-
tained, through the difficulty of ascending the hills, that
another yoke of oxen was needed, and forthwith a man Vv-as
dispatched to Utica to obtain them. With perseverance,
however, the next hill top was gained with the one pair by
the time night set in, and preparations were speedily en-
tered upon for an encampment. A huge fire was soon kin-
dled, and the group of stalwart men, cheerful and respectful
in the presence of their leader, though sadly wearied, pre-
sented what would now seem in that place an unique .spec-
tacle, as they moved about in the wavering glow of the
camp fire. Forth from the knapsacks now came the pork
and beans ; and slicing away with their jack knives, a ma-
jority of the men proceeded to make a meal. A few, ap-
preciating the Indian mode of cooking meat for the more
delicate appetite, placed their pork upon the nicely-sharp-
ened end of a long stick, and stood patiently roasting it
in the fire, while others ate heartily of raw p'ork and
bread sandwiched ; all enio}'ed their repast with zest. Tired
and sleepy, at last the men arranged their blanket couch
upon the earth, the fire at their leet, the trunk of a fillen

208 MADISON COUNTV.

tree at their head, and, it may be inferred, soon sank into
profound sleep — dreamless, possibly, unless the bright eyes
and rosy lips of some buxom German lass, seen during the
journey, may have haunted the slumbers of some one of
them ; or, quite as likely, the faint outlines of an unrolled
panorama of the land they were just now entering to take
possession, exhibiting the wondrous destiny of its future, to
be consummated through the instrumentality of those un-
conscious sleepers, may have lingered in the oblivious
moments of that portion of them whose aspiring natures,
when in full consciousness, were prone to part asunder the
mists, and behold the possibilities of the far future. How-
ever, with the night, fled dreams, if they had them, and all
were soon wide awake for the yet-to-be-surmounted obstacles
of the present. After a breakfast of bread and pork, Mr.
Lincklaen and Mr. Foreman, anxious to complete the jour-
ney, started on ahead, leaving the men to follow as soon as
they were ready. They kept the Indian path with their
one horse (the other being taken by the man who went for
the extra pair of oxen), following the custom of "ride and
tie," — that is, one rides a distance, and when considerably
in advance of his comrade, dismounts and fastens the horse
to a sapling, leaving it for the other to mount when he
reaches it, while the former walks on and is overtaken and
passed by the latter, who in turn dismounts and walks on ;
thus alternating to the end of a journey.

On arriving at the outlet of the lake, they discovered a
bark cabin, and some signs of the proximity of white men.
There was here a little prairie, called in those days an " In-
dian opening," upon which Mr. Lincklaen turned loose his
faithful horse, " Captain," placed his saddle, bridle, and port-
manteau in the hut, and then with his companion strolled
about to view the location. He was delighted with the pros-
pect ; waking visions of a brilliant future he surely beheld
now. " Here," he says, " I pitch my tent ; here I build my vil-
lage." As night drew nigh, three strangers approached the

CAZENOVIA.

209

cabin, who, after the usual salutations were passed, were
found to be Joseph Atwell, Charles Roe and ■ Barthol-
omew, from Pompey Hollow. They were here improving
the advantages of a fishing weir, which the Indians had con-
structed at the outlet of the lake. When these new com-
ers displayed their supper, discovering that our pioneers
could not follow suit, they kindly invited them to join in
the repast, which consisted of the inevitable bread and pork,
and most cordially was the offer accepted.

There were many misgivings as to the delay of the men
with the supply cart, for whom they had been anxiously
looking some hours ; but not arriving, the two prepared
for a less auspicious repose than even that of the preced-
ing night. In the weather-beaten hut, with one saddle
between them for a pillow, and guarded by their watchful
mastiff " Lion," — " Captain " still feeding on the prairie
near by, — John Lincklaen and Samuel S. Foreman slept
that night in the future village of Cazenovia. When
morning came, no tidings of the men had reached them, and
Mr. Lincklaen started back early in quest of the party.
About ten o'clock Mr. Foreman concluded to follow, and
accordingly saddled the horse and placed the portmanteau
thereon, which, though it contained ^500 in silver, could
not procure him the wherewith to satisfy his hunger. On
his way he met Jedediah Jackson and Joseph Yaw, two
commissioners stnt by a Company in Vermont, to "spy
out the land" in Township No. i. They had met Mr.
Lincklaen, who referred them to Mr. Foreman to direct
them to Nelson. This service rendered, he passed on, and
at two o'clock he met Swartz with a budget of food, which
greatly rejoiced his physical man. From Swartz he learned
that the cart had broken down not far from where they
had been left the morning before. Repairs had been made,
and with slow progress the party were on their way. With
care and painstaking they moved down the uneven slope
to the lake ; and on the afternoon of the 8th day of ]\Iay,

2IO MADISON COUNTY.

1793, this little company stopped and pitched their tents a
little west of a small ravine, nearly opposite the residence
of the late Ledyard Lincklaen, at the south end of the
lake.

One of the two tents was fitted up for the convenience
of Messrs, Lincklaen and Foreman, the other appropriated
to the use of the hired men ; and then plans were laid for
the construction of houses. Two log structures were soon
built ; one for a dwelling" house and store, the other for the
hired people. They stood on the south shore of the lake,
in what was then the white oak grove, but now one no longer.
The aged trees have fallen one by one, till only a
single tree is standing, and that bears the marks of
decay, sadly reminding us of the grandeur of its fellows.
For their noble beauty and lofty bearing ; for their grateful
shade in summer heat ; for the many memories clustering
about them, these oaks were held in sacred reverence by
the members of Mr. Lincklaen's household, and by them
have their broken limbs and shattered trunks been fash-
ioned into various artistically finished articles for use and
adornment, which grace their long cherished home.

" During the two or three weeks subsequent to their arrival,
the company managed admirably in household matters without
feminine assistance, by having their washing and baking done at
Jacob Schuyler's, a German living at Chittenango ; nevertheless,
one evening about sunset, on being told that a woman on horse-
back was approaching the settlement, all ran out with haste to
witness the strange sight ; and pleasanter indeed the rough
cabins looked when afterwards graced by the presence of wo-
man. This lady was a Mrs. Dumont, who with her husband
came to view the place, and then passed on to Cayuga Lake.

Mr. Lincklaen had advertised extensively by hand-bills, that
he opened these lands for sale on a credit of ten years, with only
$10 down on each lot, and interest on the balance to be paid an-
nually, with a further condition of clearing ten acres and building
a log dwelling on each lot. Nathaniel Locke was employed to
survey these lands, which were to be laid out in lots of one hundred
acres each. Mr. Lincklaen also advertised that the first ten fam-
ilies should have one hundred acres at $1 per acre. This pro-
posal brought on that number quite unexpectedly, from between

CAZLNOVIA. 211

Utica and Cazenovia. Some enterprising young people it was
said, abbreviated their courtsliip in order to avail themselves of
this offer. The first families came without having first viewed
the land or prepared a residence, and the workmen who occu-
pied the large tent generously vacated it for their use in common,
and went themselves to live in a log house partly finished. The
names of the heads of some of these families were : Archibald
Bates, Noah Taylor, Benjamin Pierson, Anson Deane, William
Gillett and Isaac Nichols. Mrs. Noah Taylor was the first
white woman who came to live in Cazenovia. The first birth
was a child of Isaac Nichols, — his eldest daughter, Milison, —
born at his house on the east bank of Cazenovia Lake, August
8th, 1793. The second child (born in 1794,) was a child of Noah
Taylor.

As the settlers increased, many desiring large farms, repre-
sented to Mr. Lincklaen that a hundred acres was not enough
for a farm, and wished he would run out the land into one hundred
and fifty acre lots. This was complied with after reserving two
miles across the north end of Road Township. This reservation
was afterwards run out into smaller lots of from ten to fifty or
si.xty acres, for the benefit of the future village."

Road Township was now divided, forming four towns,
which Mr. Lincklaen named as follows : First, Road Town-
ship, to perpetuate the original name. This town extended
from the north line of the reservation (center of Seminary-
street), southward a distance, to include four tiers of lots in
the present town of DeRuyter ; Second, Tromp Township ;
after Admiral Von Tromp, renowned in the history of the
Dutch Navy, for whom this loyal lover of noble men enter-
tained a profound veneration. This Township embraced
the remainder of the present town of DeRuyter and six and
a half tiers of lots in Lincklaen ; Third, DeRuyter, named
in honor of another famous Dutch Naval officer, Admiral De-
Ruyter.* This township embraced the south six tiers of lots
in Lincklaen, and the town of Pitcher ;;/z«.'/i- the south three
tiers of lots. Fourth, Brackel Township, named from Ad-
miral Brackel, — also of the Dutch Navy, — which embraced
the southern three tiers of lots in Pitcher and all of the
present town of German. As an Act of the Legislature rd-

*Admirals Von Tromp and DeRuyter were Generals of renown about the
middle of the seventeenth century.

212 MADISON COUNTV.

quired a certain amount ot* po})ulation to organize a ne\%^
town, Cazenovia required a witle territory, to embrace a
sufficient nimiber, wiien it was formed in 1795 ; conse-
quently these first names, given by tlie proprietor, were
dropped after a time, for the first town of Cazenovia in-
cluded all their territory. In the subsequent division of
towns, Cazenovia embraced Road TowMiship ; the name ot
DeRuyter was transferred to Tromp Township ; Lincklaen
to the original DeRuyter, and German was substituted for
Brackel.

"After the first ten families had received their lands, the price
was established at $1.50 per acre. 80 rapid were the sales, set-
tlers even followed the surv-eyors. As soon as two sides of a lot
were ascertained, they would take down the number and hasten
to the office to have it booked ; and often a person had to name
several lots before he could get one that had not been engaged
a few moments before him. At last the press became so great,
that it became necessary to suspend the sales for a few daj's, for
fear of mistakes.

A road was opened the whole extent of the purchase, which
passed through New Woodstock, Sheds Corners, DeRuyter and
the southern towns, to facilitate the opening of the whole for set-
tlement. A branch office was opened in connection with a store,
twentv-six miles south of Cazenovia, under the care of Adonijah
Schuyler, one of the Cazenovia clerks, and Mr. Lincklaen
caused the first mills in that section to be built on the Otselic
Creek.

A portion of the location for the future village lay, as we have
seen, in the New Petersburgh tract. In negotiations with Peter
Smith, the desired amount of land to complete the village site
was obtained ; and at the north end of Road Township on the
east side of the lake, on a point of land bounded on three sides
by the lake and its outlet (which soon after its disemboguement
takes a northerly direction and runs parallel with the east shore
of the lake), the village of Cazenovia was laid out. This was in
the summer of 1794. Calvin Guitteau was the person cm-
ployed to make the survey.

The first sales of village lots were at $5 per acre, with certain
conditions to improve by building. The Companj'^ built a large,
elegant frame house, about fifty feet square and two stories
high, and covered the roof with sheet lead ; but after a few years
this was taken off, probably because it could not be made tight.
This house took fire twice. The second time it was destroved.

CAZETVOVIA. 2r3

with a large quantity of elegant furniture. The site was after-
wards purchased by Perry G. Childs, Esq., who built upon it.
It is now the location of the residence of Sidney T. Fairchild.

The latter part of this summer, 1794, a number of Hollanders
came to the settlement on their way to the Holland Purchase.
They were Mr. Rossetta (a brother-in-law of Mr. Cazenove),
Col. Mappa, Mr. Boon, Mr. Heudekooper, and perhaps some
others, Mr. Lincklaen accompanied them on their journey.
While they were absent Mr. William Morris came, on his return
from the Holland Company's purchase in the western part of the
State. While he was staying to rest himself at the Road Town-
ship, he was taken sick with what was termed the ' lake fever,'
and was for a few days very ill. The country did not afford very
skillful physicians at that time, but by the aid of ' Huchan's
Family Physician ' and good nursing, he recovered. While in a
state of convalescence the subject of the name of the contem-
plated village was canvassed ; Mr. Lincklaen had wished to call
it Hamilton, as he was a great admirer of Gen. Alexander Ham-
ilton's character ; but the settlers in one of the adjoining town-
ships adopted that name for their settlement before a decision
was arrived at, so it was dropped. On Mr. Lincklaen's return,
Mr. Morris told him they had found a good name for the vil-
lage ; that they called it Cazenovia, in honor of their respected
mutual friend, Theophilus Cazenove. This was cordially ap-
proved, and so it was established."

The lake also was named, and in honor of John Linck-
laen. On all the early maps the lake bore no other name
than " Lincklaen's Lake." In later years, when the village
had grown into some importance, it gradually came to be
known as " Cazenovia Lake," and more recently the
aboriginal name, " Owahgena," has become quite generally
adopted by use.

The first ten acre job, of clearing the heavy timbered land,
was taken by James Green and David Fay, next to the
Cazenove lot on the west side of the lake, on the original
Tillotson farm, now owned by Mr. A. Blodgett. The price
was $10 per acre with board, and six cents per bushel for
ashes cribbed on the job. Wages were then $8 per month
and board.

In speaking of the settlers of this purchase, Maj. Fore-
man says : " be it said to their credit, I believe there was

214' MADISON COUNTY.

but one person who took up a lot of land during the first
four years, while I continued in office, who could not write
his name."

The Vermonters had made arrangements to take up
their farms in township No. i, (Nelson) before that town
should be offered for sale, as their company was large and
they wished to settle near each other. By the time the
Vermont Company had arrived, however, the whole town-
ship was surveyed into lots of one hundred and fifty acres
each, Mr. Lincklaen having pushed forward the work.
Jackson and Yaw, the committee sent out to explore, and
some of the hired men of Mr. Lincklaen's company, were a
part of the settlers of this township.

At this period game was plenty ; small droves of deer
were frequently seen ; there were a few otters and an occa-
sional beaver, and bears were often met with. To these
pioneers from long established and cultivated homes in
town and city, the sports of the chase were exciting ; but
an encounter with a veritable black bear was an adventure
to move one deeper. The following is related in Foreman's
narrative :

"One winter a Mr. Walthers (a respectable European German
in the Company's service,) and myself were viewing a lot of
land which we had bought on the west side of the lake, after-
wards called Cazenove lot. As we walked along, our dogs ga\e
alarm of game. We hurried to the spot, and coming up to a
very large hollow tree, we encouraged the dogs to attack what-
soever was concealed within it. Presently a little terrier dog
was drawn almost within the body of the tree, in a small hole
near the ground. In order to rescue him we thrust a stick in
through another hole, which the animal seized and held fast till
we pulled his nose out of the tree ; but what creature it was we
knew not. The dog ran home bleeding. We got a large pole
and run the butt end into the hole, and Walthers held fast the
other end as a lever, while I ran to the farm house to get a gun
and some hands with axes to engage in the combat. When I
returned with the reinforcements, I found Mr. Walthers as I had
left him, grasping the lever, and anxious to be relieved from his
state of incertitude. Our first business was to secure the hole
by driving down large stakes interlocked with logs; then cut

CAZENOVIA. 215

three windows in the body of the tree about four feet high and
seven or eight inches in diameter, so that we could have a fair
view of the animal ; and we now discovered it to be what we
had expected, a large bear. A discharge from the gun wounded
it, when it became raving mad. It raised its huge paws upon
its prison wall, put its nose out, gnashed its teeth and frothed at
the mouth, and its eyes bespoke retaliation if it was set at
liberty. The gun was loaded and fired a second time, produc-
ing only a wound. As we were perfectly safe we paused awhile
to view how awful its angry looks and actions were. A third
discharge from the gun proved fatal and poor Bruin fell lifeless.
Our next business was to cut one of those windows large
enough to get it out of the tree. We had three or four men
from the farm, and after being satisfied that life was extinct,
some of them entered the winter quarters of the animal, and
after some heavy lifting, our game was landed out of its strong-
hold. It was conveyed to the village on a hand sled, across the
lake, and when dressed, the four quarters were found to weigh
(if I recollect right) four hundred pounds. It was a female with
young of two cubs. The skin was very black and finely covered.
The meat I gave to the men, and four dollars for the skin.
This afforded them fine feasting and pleasure.

" Another time, when the jobbers set fire to their clearmg by
the swamp, near where Mr. Lincklaen built his last house, the
fire drove a large bear out, which passed through the village ai d
cleared himself, as no one was prepared to follow. At anothi r
time a man passed a large bear and her cub, about half a mile
up the lake road. He came to the store and gave information,
and we mustered a dozen men and went in pursuit. They had
ascended a large leaning oak. We had but one gun and no
balls, nothing but slug and shot ; but such as we had we gave
mistress Bruin, and perhaps hurt her some, as, after receiving
several charges, she all at once descended to a crotch in the
tree, about twelve or fifteen feet from the ground, and putting
her head between her fore legs, threw herself off. As soon as she
touched the ground, as many as could stand around fell upon
her with clubs and other weapons, so that she never rose to her
feet. Having disposed of the dam, our next move was to get
little Bruin, who by this time had ascended as high as he could
get, where the limbs would bear him. We commenced firing
shot at the little creature ; every time it was fired at, it would
wipe its face with its paws ; at last one shot proved fatal, and
brought it to the ground. It was about half as large as a mid-
3ing-sized dog.

" At another time, on Togwattle Hill, [Tog Hill] as it was
called, in Nelson, about five miles from Cazenovia, east, a wo-

2l6 MADISON COUNTY.

man was washing out of doors by her house, her husband being
off at work, and her child sitting near by her, a bear came close
up to her and reared upon his hinder feet. She, as may well be
conjectured, not liking his appearance, caught up her child, ran
into the house, and instead of inviting her guest in, fastened the
door against him. These brutes are so bold, that they have
been known to come in the night and try to get into the hog-
pens, built near the log dwellings, the inmates of which, having
been alarmed by the noise, have got up and made war upon
them. These little incidents seem small to an indifferent per-
son ; but they created great interest at the time, and relieved
the monotony of back wood's life. The recital of them serves to
show that the settlement of a wilderness is attended with diffi-
culties and dangers in various ways."

Wolves v^^ere more prevalent than bears, and to rid the
country of these enemies of the flocks, the town in 1804,
voted to give a bounty of twenty dollars for each wolf
killed the ensuing year by any inhabitant of the town.

Among the earliest settlers of the town in 1793, besides
those already named, were Archibald Bates, William
Mills, Ira Peck, Nathan Webb, Shubal Brooks, and others

named Tyler and Atigur. David and Jonathan

Smith and Charleville Webber, came about the same time
and were the first settlers of New Woodstock. William
Sims and Isaac Moss came soon after.

The first saw mill and grist mill were built by John
Lincklaen in 1794. The grist mill was located on the
Chittenango Creek, perhaps a quarter of a mile above
where it unites with the outlet of the lake, — ^just below
the steep bank at the corner of the garden, contiguous to
the residence ot General J. D. Ledyard ; the mill pond
overflowed all that low meadow south of his house. This
mill the company sold to Dr. Jonas Fay, and it was, not
long after, burned down, together with a distillery and
brewery. Afterwards a better site was discovered below
the junction just named, where the present mills (in 1870,)
owned by Parsons & Chaphe now stand.

Judutha Perkins came to Cazenovia before 1800, and
settled south of the village in what was called, from him.

CAZENOVIA. 217

the " Perkins District." Near him the well remembered
Perkins school house was built, in which the early religious
meetings of the Baptist Church of Cazenovia village were
held. Mr. Perkins and his family were prominent and
influential people, and did much towards building up good
society.

A Mr. Stanley was one of the pioneers of 1794 ; he came
in with his family from Hartford, Conn. His son Lewis
Stanley, who came with him, was a farmer, and located
near the village, where he lived till his death in 1857, aged
76 years. The latter was prominent in the M. E. Church ;
he did much towards founding it and promoting its growth
and prosperity. He was also deeply interested in the
success of the Seminary.

Walter Childs, from Woodstock, Conn., came in 1798;
he was one of the substantial farmers of this locality, and
reared a family, members of which still reside in town.

Among the first inhabitants of the town after 1800, was
Caleb Van Riper, who arrived in 1801, and settled at the
head of the lake. He built perhaps the second tannery
in town, on the stream that crosses lot No. 34, now owned
by William B. Downer ; it stood about forty rods from the
lake. A saw mill was also built here at a later c'ate, but
both tannery and mill have disappeared, except perhaps
some ruins of the foundation and dyke of the saw mill.

Phineas Southwell came, in 1802, from Boonville, Oneida
County, but formerly from Massachusetts. Edward Parker
came the same year ; both settled at the head of the lake,
and bought large farms. The land purchased by Southwell
was, apparently, that which had been tilled by the Indians,
as some fifteen acres of it bore evidences of having been
cultivated but a few years previous. The large timber had
been removed, and a low undergrowth encumbered the
ground ; the soil was black, quite likely from annual burn-
ings. Upon this farm — Lot No. 32, School District No. 5
— were found many relics referred to in preceding pages >

2l8 MADISON COUNTY.

and G. R. Southwell, son of Phineas, who now owns the
farm, has many of these curiosities in his possession. During
the elder Southwell's first years of residence here, the In-
dians frequently came over the lake in their birch-bark
canoes to fish, and perhaps hunt deer, which, as has been
seen, were plenty.

Christopher Webb moved from Canterbury, Windham
County, Conn., in 1805, and settled on Lot No. 29. Martin
L. Webb, son of Christopher, came at the same time, and
settled here also, and lor many years was a teacher in* Caz-
enovia.

Edward Parker built the first frame house in this vicinity
(head of the lake,) about 1802. It was with difficulty that
he could obtain sawed lumber, but so great was his repug-
nance to living in a log house, he mastered all difficulties,
so that when he commenced housekeeping, it was as he
desired, in a framed and boarded house, instead of a log
one.

The first town meeting in Cazenovia was held in April,
1795, at John Lincklaen's house. At this meeting John
Lincklaen was chosen supervisor, and Elijah Risley* town
clerk.

In 1798, when Chenango County was formed, the town
of DeRuyter, which embraced all the southern part of the
original Road Township, was taken off In 1800 the town,
still embracing Sullivan, Lenox, Smithfield, Nelson and
Fenner, had a population of 1,973.

In 1803, the census of Cazenovia village was taken, with
the names of the heads of families, their occupations, and
number of persons in each household, as follows : —

* Elijah Risley subsequently became justice of the peace. At a very early day,
an Indian couple came to Squire Risley 's, and were by him married. Soon after,
becoming dissatisfied, owing to the reproaches of their Indian friends, who disliked
their conformity to the custom of the whites, they called again to be unmarried.
The minister being present, they were persuaded to be re-married by him in-
stead, when they departed, appearing quite well pleased with the additional cere-
mony.

CAZENOVIA. 219

John Lincklaen 6

|. N. M. Hurd, store keeper and postmaster 7

"S. S. Breese, lawyer 4

Hiram Roberts, blacksmith and tavern keeper 17

Isaac Lyman, doctor 4

Wm. Whipple, carpenter and constable 4

Moses Phillips, brickmaker 4

Roberts & Hill, carpenters 6

Elisha Farnham, tanner and shoemaker 7

Eliakim Roberts, store keeper 9

Horace Paddock, blacksmith _ 3

Ebenezer Johnson, tavern keeper 10

William Kyle, clerk 4

Jonathan Foreman, storekeeper 9

Samuel Ashard, miller 6

Total inhabitants 100

The population of the whole of the original Road Tov^n-
ship at the same date, including the village, was 1,164.

Several of the heads of families just named, as well as
some of those mentioned as the pioneers of '93, were men
of ability and influence in the councils, and at other import-
ant posts in the new country.

Samuel Sidney Breese was the first clerk of Chenango
County, 1798, and was a member of the Convention of
1821. Jonathan Foreman was elected Member of Assem-
bly from Chenango County, in 1800 and 1801. J. N. M.
Hurd was county clerk in 1815, and served till 1821. James
Green, one of the pioneers of '93, was at one time a member
of the Legislature. Stephen F, Blackstone, another of that
company, was a member of the Legislature in 1814.

Jeremiah Whipple, also an early settler, and for many
years a first-class hotel keeper in the village, was the first
sheriff of Madison County, appointed in 1806, continuing in
office till 1 8 10, and was called to act again in the same ca-
pacity in 181 1, serving till 18 14.

William Sims was a pioneer of 1793 ; he took up a farm
south of Cazenovia village, where he spent three score and ten
years of his life. He possessed wealth, was a man of influence,
and contributed largely to the enterprises of his adopted town.

220 MADISON COUNTY.

Henrick DeClercq, a native of Amsterdam, Jiolland,
came to Cazenovia in 1800. His wife, Mary, whose maiden
family name was Ledyard, came to this town on horseback,
from Connecticut, in the year 1798. Her father, G. S.
Ledyard, with his relative and namesake. Col. Ledyard, was
killed at Groton, in the massacre of Fort Griswold, in the
Revolution. The DeClercqs became an established and
permanent family of Cazenovia.

Capt. E. S. Jackson was an early settler and wealthy.
In all that pertained to the interests and welfare of the new
country, Capt. Jackson's good judgment was solicited, and
his ever ready generosity assisted.

Perry G. Childs located in Cazenovia before 1806. His
name is closely identified with the several interests of the
town, as will be seen in the current history of her earlier
enterprises. His wealth was generously used for the public
good. He was repeatedly honored with official positions in
town. County and State.

Charles Stebbins settled here before 18 10. He and his
family after him have worthily held a commanding influ-
ence through all the changes from the early days to the
present time. Town, County and State official honors have
descended from father to sons ; their names are often and
honorably recorded. '

Elihu Severance also came to this town previous to 1810.
Members of his family still reside here.

Jacob Ten Eyck came about 1800. He acquired wealth
and used it generously to forward the enterprises of Caze-
novia, not a little of it being devoted to perfecting the
beauty of the village environs. The same spirit of gener-
osity, in the aid of progress generally, animates the different
members of his family.

B. T. Clarke came to Cazenovia in 18 12, being a soldier
in the war at that time. Mr. Clarke has been and still is
one of the active men of the village in improvements and en-
terprises. He has retired from the mercantile business,

CAZENOVIA. 221

which he pursued for many years at the corner of Albany
and Mill streets.

William M. Burr came prior to 1810. His, became an-
other of the prominent and substantial families of the vil-
lage. At an early day Cazenovia gained a high reputation
as a mercantile center, and to such men as the Burrs, Ten
Eycks, Clarkes and others, this reputation is due.

J. D. Ledyard, youngest brother of Mrs. John Lincklaen
and adopted son of Mr. Lincklaen, was reared in Cazenovia
and has spent the most of the years of his long life, (aged
seventy-eight in 187 1,) in this town. Mr. Ledyard has
been identified with nearly all the progressive changes of
this town. As will be seen, his name and the names of his
sons are not to be separated from Cazenovia's history.
Having charge of the Holland Land Company's office, as
successor of Mr. Lincklaen, since 1820, his business was
large and his influence extensive. He still resides near the
foot of the Lake in a dwelling built by himself in 1825,
which, with the homes of his sons, all commanding fine
views of fair Owahgena, render attractive that part of the
village which was first occupied by civilization.

The wealth of Cazenovia, generously yet judiciously in-
vested, has brought its legitimate and ample returns ; it has
been and still is used, not for selfish ends, but to beautify
and adorn, to elevate and purify country life.

In the year 1803, February 22d, a Legislative act was
passed, in which the broad territory of Cazenovia was again
made less by the organization of the town of Sullivan, a
most expansive township, including the present towns of
Sullivan, Lenox, and a part of Stockbridge.

After this last change in the town limits, the next town
meeting in Cazenovia of which a record has been kept, was
held at the house of Capt. Ebenezer Johnson, in the village,
in the year 1804. Luther Waterman was Moderator.
James Green was elected Supervisor ; Eliphalet Jackson,

222 MADISON COUNTY.

Town Clerk and Elisha Williams, Collector. Among
other enactments, the meeting voted to refund to Lemuel
Kingsbury the sum of $6. i8 for "bad taxes." The follow-
ing was also voted : " That members of this meeting may
wear their hats while attending said meeting ;" — and to give
value to this permission, and for the accommodation of the
people, the meeting then adjourned to the Common. The
constables were directed to procure sufficient bail, and
seven pound masters were elected to enforce the following
resolution, viz : " That hogs shall be shut up." Twenty
dollars of town fund was delivered to the town clerk to pro-
cure books for the use of the town, and he was instructed to
" draft off such of the old books as he shall think neces-
sary." It does not appear that this officer deemed it
" necessary" to copy any part, as it was not done, and the
loss of the first book is irreparable. The town was divided
into sixty-eight road districts.

To unite the inhabitants of the more northern portions of
the county, which were earliest settled, to make easy their
communication with eastern friends, and to facilitate their
market journey ings, the " Cazenovia and Oneida Turnpike "
was laid out at an early day ; it extended from Cazenovia
through Peterboro to Vernon. The necessities of the other
towns, however, required for them a more direct communi-
cation with the outer world ; and the "Third Great West-
ern Turnpike," or the more familiar name ot " Cherry Val-
ley Turnpike," was the result of these needs. The enter-
prising prime movers in this grand scheme of constructing
a good wagon road from Cherry Valley to Manlius, Onon-
daga County, through towns and counties of dense forests,
over the most hilly country known outside of veritable
mountainous districts, with no rich towns along the route
to bond, or even to aid them by subscription, formed a com-
pany, went courageously into the work, obtained a charter
and completed the grand enterprise by 1 806. Cazenovia
men were foremost in the great work, devoting their time

CAZENOVIA. 223

and investing their capital without prospect of full compen-
sation.

CAZENOVIA VILLAGE.

This village was laid out in a regular, methodical manner:
The public square was handsomely located in full view of
the lake, and through it passed Albany street, laid broad
and with mathematical regularity, with a view to the future
needs of a large village. In the vicinity of the square were
erected some of the earliest and most prominent buildings,
and upon its four corners were located the four stores of the
early days, viz : the Roberts store, the Foreman store, that
of J. N. M. Hurd, and the store of Jackson & Lyman, the
latter on the northeast corner. The Robert's store on the
southeast corner, now the " Lake House," was originally
built of wood, but at a later date Mr. Roberts removed
that, and rebuilt of brick, where for a time he transacted
mercantile business. In 1810, it was purchased by Jos. &
Wm. M. Burr, who, like Jacob Ten Eyck, their neighbor
and relative, established a large business. A few years
since this building was converted into a hotel. The Fore-
man store, located on the southwest corner, was stocked by
the Holland Company, and the first postofhce was kept
there, at the private expense of Mr. Lincklaen, till its own
revenue was sufficient to sustain it as a government office,
when S. S. Breese was appointed postmaster by the P. O.
Department. At the northwest corner was the well known
store of J. N. M. Hurd, where in 1803, the postoffice was
kept by him, and who held the commission for many years
after.

The first tavern of the village was situated on the loca-
tion of Mrs. Roberts' present residence, and was kept by
Ebenezer Johnson.

Some really fine residences, and also the Presbyterian
meeting house, were built previous to 18 10, at which date
the census gave Cazenovia village a population of 500
inhabitants, sixty-nine houses, five stores, one grain

224 MADISON COUNTY.

mill, one saw mill, two cloth-dressing establishments, two
carding machines, two trip hammeries, two potasheries, two
tanneries, one brewery and distillery, and a post-office.* To
this statement may be added one printing office. "The
Pilot," established in 1808, by Oran E. Baker, was one of
the popular and successful institutions of the village. From
its time-honored pages may be learned, not so much by its
local items, but in a great degree from its ancient advertise-
ments, that manufacturers, mechanics and artizans were
successfully pursuing their several trades. A woolen fac-
tory, where custom work of wool-carding and cloth-dressing
was done, became the property of Matthew Chandler, hav-
ing been purchased by him of its original proprietors, Elisha
Starr & Co. The new tannery of Thomas Williams & Son,
promises much prosperity to the importers of hemlock bark
from the farming districts. There is a hat factory belong-
ing to John Brevoort & Jere Allis ; A. Hitchcock adds to
his newly-opened store a stock of drugs and medicines ; S.
Foreman opens a book store ; J. Gillett advertises as clock
and watch maker ; J. Kilbourn as tailor ; W, Brown as
painter and glazier ; Mr. White's chair factory receives
some notice, while Luther Bunnell's trip hammeries are
known to be conducted with superior skill and enterprise.
Thus is given in this old-time journal a glimpse of the in-
dustries of the village at and about 18 10.

One of the great institutions of this period was the mili-
tary brigade, which had been formed in Madison County
under the command of Gen. Jonathan Foreman, a former
Colonel in the War of the Revolution ; and for the use of
the militia when their headquarters were made in Cazenovia,
a fine parade ground was laid out about 18 10, in the
northern part of the village.

The Cherry Valley Turnpike brought Cazenovia into
special notice, and placed it on an equal footing with towns
of established reputation further east ; and no village in the

* See Spaffbrd's Gazetteer of 1811.

CAZENOVIA.

225

county had greater consequence and influence than this.
From the time of the formation of the county to this date,
(18 10,) it had been looked upon as a suitable location for
the county seat of the Courts of Justice, and had become
so temporarily ; consequently, the first criminal pun-
ished for murder in Madison County, was executed here.
This one was Hitchcock, the wife poisoner, who had been
confined in Whitestown jail, and was tried (in 1807) at a
court held in Judge Smalley's barn, in the town of Sullivan,
whence he was taken to Cazenovia and hung. The gal-
lows was erected about a half mile east of the village, on
the farm now owned by Cyrus Parsons, near where his
dwelling now stands. Jeremiah Whipple was sheriff.

The county seat proper, was located here in 18 10, — not,
however, without some opposition from rival towns. Col.
John Lincklaen and Capt. Eliphalet Jackson were appointed
to superintend the building of the court house. A fine
brick building was erected at a cost of upwards of ^4,000,
on the site where the seminary is located, and is now a part
of the latter edifice, having been, on the removal of the
county seat to Morrisville, purchased by the Methodist So-
ciety for a church, and finally used by the Oneida Confer-
ence as their seminary. The characteristic style of
architecture belonging to the old court house, readily dis-
tinguishes that part of the structure as it now stands, but it
is in no wise inferior in appearance* to that which has been
added to it. The first courts were held here in 1812.

Cazenovia was the first village incorporated in Madison
County, the date of the act, giving it a corporate identity,
being Februrary 7th, 1810. • The first village officers,
elected the May following, were : — Jonas Fay, President ;
Perry G. Childs, Elisha Farnham, Eliphalet S. Jackson and
Samuel Thomas, Trustees. With her industries all
flourishing and her prosperity promoted in every direction,
Cazenovia village gradually increased. The Baptist and
Methodist Churches were soon established ; and although

226 MADISON COUNT'S'.

the county seat was removed in 1817 to Morrisville, an
institution of learning grew up in its place, which exerted
a beneficent influence upon the interests of community.

From 1830 to '35, here, as in all sections of Central New
York, there seemed to have been given a new impetus to
all departments of business ;' the manufacturers and mer-
chants invested heavier and expanded their trade ; many
farmers, having relieved themselves from debt and accu-
mulated snug competencies for declining years, yielding to
the impulse for improvement, now came forward and
invested in village homes. During this period, several of
the old and substantial blocks, now to be seen on Albany
street, were built. All those handsome cut stone buildings,
then the style in the eastern cities, were erected at this
period, which gave Cazenovia an enviable reputation for its
beauty.

In 1840, the census states that this village contained
1.600 inhabitants, 250 dwelling houses, one Presbyterian,
one Baptist, one Congregational and one Methodist Church,
three taverns, ten stores, two printing offices, one bank, the
Oneida Conference Seminary, one woolen factory, one
grist mill, one saw mill, one machine shop and iron foundry,
one distillery, and one paper mill.

The manufacturing facilities of the Chittenango, devel-
oped a new growth to the village along the course of the
stream, where new streets were laid out and were rapidly
built up. At all periods the village seems to have been
making progress in some direction. Since 1850, large
blocks have risen, and some of the most beautiful residences
have been built. Within a few years marked progress has
been made in building. Among the many changes, we
designate the fair proportions of the Ten Eyck Block, built
in 1871. An " item" clipped from the "Oneida Dispatch,"
of Aug. 16, 1872, tells us that "the Reymon store is almost
complete. It will be an ornament to the place. The
Burr block is approaching completion ;" it is a building " that

CAZENOVIA.

227

will not only be useful, but ornamental and beautifying to
the locality." It also adds that a small steamboat named
"Lottie," which is about thirty feet long, and will carry
thirty or forty passengers, built by Mr. Charles Parmalee,
has been launched upon the lake.

The enterprise of Cazenovia in perfecting the beauty of
her natural scenery, in developing the agricultural resources
of the town, and in facilitating the means of commerce, is
characteristic of its leading men. Its fair, sunny lake, with
convenient boats for pleasure and for the sport of angling, —
for Owahgena is yet stored with her native yellow perch,
and other families of the finny tribe, perhaps beyond what
it was in the pristine days of the Iroquois,* — the delightful
drives and beautiful walks among groves around the lake ;
the romantic road where the Chittenango rushes and
splashes around great fragments of rock, and wild looking,
precipitous ledges overhang the swift flowing stream ;
where the atmosphere is aromatic with the breath of
cedars, and where an adamantine ro£d bed leads to the
wild gorge of the Chittenango Falls ; — these attractions, and
many others, have made this village a delightful summer
resort for the nature-loving, pavement-weary dwellers of
large cities, who, coming here, find the luxury of refined
homes and cultivated society superadded to the attractions
of nature.

Agriculture has been encouraged and developed to a
high degree ; a tour through the town will corroborate this
statement. Smooth meadows, well cultivated fields,
cleanly kept woodlands, first-class farm buildings, and the
evidences of wealth everywhere, on the hills as well as in
the valleys, proclaim skilled training in agriculture.

* "About sixty-four years ago, Amasaand Ezra Leland rook forty-five pickeral from
Leland's pond, in the town of Eaton, and put them in our lake. For this service
they received $40, this amount being raised by subscription in our town. A law
was then passed by the Legislature, that no pickerel should be taken from Owah-
gena lor ten years j and thus our waters were stocked with the beautiful fish which
h.ive afforded so much amusement to fishermen, and supplied our table with delica-
cies, " — Republican.

228 MADISON COUNTY.

Machinery has superseded hand labor ahnost invariably.
Now, the farmer's refined daughter, pining for an out-door
froHc, or what is more in her praise, ready and willing to
assist in a pressure of farm work, may don her sun hat and
gloves, take her seat upon the "mower," and in a few hours
perform the same work, which in the days " lang syne,"
required half a dozen strong men to do in the same time,,
bowed to the tedious labor of the scythe, with g?rments
saturated with sweat, and backs blistering under the July
sun. A comparison between ancient and modern farming,.
is frequently indulged in by those who can remember when
the first furrow was turned in town with a Mohawk wheel-
plow, on the lot belonging to David Schuyler, near the out-
let of the lake.

In reviewing works of enterprise for the public welfare^
we find there are many instances of individual munificence
which, we much regret, we are compelled to pass over. One
instance, however, we record : — Those stone fountains by
the road side, — one in Dist. No. 9, on the road to New
Woodstock, one in Nelson, and one at the foot of the lake,
— bearing the simple inscription "L. L."* carved on each,
will perpetuate the memory of one who, having wealth,
expended it in this and many another noble benefaction.
(Note c.)

MANUFACTURES.

Cazenovia was noted for manufactures at a day when
other towns were only making slow progress in agriculture.

About 1 8 10, Luther Bunnell's trip-hammeries did an ex-
tensive business, employing a number of workmen. Nehe-
miah White built a chair shop at a very early day, which
was bought out by Ebenezer Knowlton, who also built an
oil mill about 181 5. Both of these were operated by Mr.
Knowlton many years, had a good reputation, and drevv^
trade from a wide circuit round about. Mr. Lincklaen and
Mr. Starr built the first woolen mill in 18 13. Starr was un-

*Ledyard Lincklaen.

CAZENOVIA. 229

successful, owing to changes brought about by peace be-
tween the United States and Great Britain, and sold to
Matthew Chandler & Son.* This was the first woolen fac-
tory in Madison Gounty. John Williams & Son purchased
of Ghandler in 1828, and manufactured woolen goods on a
large scale for that day. This firm continued to increase
and improve till about 1834, when the mill was burned.
Mr. Williams was regarded as a model manufacturer. As
a business man his character was above reproach. }Ie sub-
sequently, with others, built the Shelter Valley Mills.

The Gazenovia Paper Mill was built by Zadoc Sweetland
about 1 8 10, on the Ghittenango, within the limits of the cor-
poration. For forty years Mr. Sweetland was gradually in-
creasing his capital and enlarging his business. It event-
ually passed into the hands of his sons, under the firm name
of " Sweetland Bros.," who at one period manufactured a
ton per day of all kinds of paper. It was burned in 1859 or
'60, and was rebuilt by them. The dam, furnishing the
power, was carried away in the great spring flood of 1865,
which also swept off almost every bridge and dam between
Erieville and Oneida Lake. The property was then pur-
chased by Henry Munroe, who rebuilt the dam and put all
in good order. It was afterwards partially destroyed by
fire, then rebuilt ; then again overwhelmed by a conflagra-
tion which left little. It remains now (1871,) a ruin, but
will probably ere long be again restored.

The tannery of Dardis & Flanagan was built before 1830,
by Rufus & R. G. Allen. For two score years, while the
hemlock forests of the surrounding towns were melting
away, this firm, with a large corps of employees, transacted
business on an extensive scale. From the beginning to the
present time it has been a prosperous concern, and valuable
to the country around as a marketing point for the several

*About 1820, Mr. Chandler originated the idea of wire harness for weaving
looms, and Ezra Brown invented machinery for making wire harness, and the busi-
ness was very prosperous for a time.

230 MADISON COUNTS.

raw materials it most required. It is situated on the Chit-
tenango, some distance from the corporation.

Before 1810, there was a small tannery in the east part of
the village which was for many years owned by John Wil-
liams. Rufus Allen, before building, his works in the Chit-
tenango Valley, purchased this of Mr. Williams and carried
on the business here.

Cedar Grove Woolen Mill was built about 1837, by E. S.
Jackson & Son. It was purchased by Henry Ten Eyck in
1850. Mr. Ten Eyck manufactured woolen tweeds. The
mill had five sets of machinery, run by eighty hands.
There were a number of dwelling houses, all occupied. The
works were in fine order and paying well, when in 1852,
the establishment was burned. Mr. Ten Eyck lost heavily
and many people were thrown out of employment.

Seven or eight years ago (in 1863 or '64), L. E. Swan
built, on the grounds of the Cedar Grove Mill, a manufac-
tory of binder's paper board, which is still in operation.

Shelter Valley Woolen Mill was built in 1848, by the
firm of Williams, Ledyard & Stebbins, of a capacity for three
sets of woolen machinery. Tweeds were mostly manufac-
tured here. With forty or fifty hands this mill turned off
2,500 yards per week. In 1869, the factory was burned.
On the same site, Messrs. Williams & Stebbins are (1871,)
erecting a new mill on an improved plan, at a considerable
outlay of capital.

Fern Dell Sash, Blind and Door Factory, was»built by
Ledyard Lincklaen in 185 1. It is now (i 871) owned by
O. W. Sage & Co. The firm employ about forty-five hands
and six teams ; use about 1,000,000 feet of pine lumber,
twenty barrels of glue, two tons of finishing nails, and fifty
reams of sand paper annually. They also turn out about
18,000 doors, 15,000 pairs of blinds, and 250,000 lights of
sash each year.

All the foregoing manufactories were and are situated on
the Chittenango Creek, a short distance from each other.

CAZENOVIA. 231

in the following order : The old Williams factory on Farn-
ham street, between Albany and Williams streets ; the Caz-
enovia Paper Mill next down stream ; the Cedar Grove
Woolen Mill a short distance from the last, just outside the
corporation ; next down stream the Tannery ; next the
Sash and Blind factory ; and still further down the Shelter
Valley Mills. On South street was situated the old Dis-
tillery and Brewery of John Hersey, an institution of the
past, widely known and largely patronized in its day* The
Eagle Foundry was built on Albany street, south side, east
of the creek, (Brewery Lane) by Elisha Allis, about 1842,
but was subsequently moved up stream. It passed through
various hands, and is now (1871,) carried on by Mr. James
Dodge.

Among the manufactories are, a Morocco Factory, located
east of the village between Nelson and Peterboro streets,
established by Mr. Phinney about 185 1, a fine General
Machine Works on Albany street, (where the oil mill stood)
owned and successfully conducted by Marshall O. Card,
and a Lock Factory, where the American Lock Co., under
the superintendence of Mr, Felter, make a variety of locks
of excellent quality, well secured by ingenious mechanism
from the arts of burglars,

Bingley Mills, about two miles from the village, on Chit-
tenango Creek, was one of the early flouring mills of th's
section. It has been owned by Mr. William Atkinson sin<e
September 12th, 1831.! This is a longer time than any
other mill in town has been run by the same man. There
is a saw mill near here, and some mechanics have also \c-
cated near by. Some sixteen houses give Bingley quite the
appearance of a hamlet.

Madison County Bank was organized in Cazenovia, the

*Mmy persons still living along the route, will remember the long and toil, me
winter trips oi" Hersey s teams, pcriormed as late as 1^33, tVom Cazenovia ro L' ':j,
each iiaulmg the standard load of two hogsheads of" spirits,

■\ Died in 1871, siisce the above was written.

232 MADISON COUNTY.

date of its charter being- March 14th, 1 831, with a capital
of ^100,000. Its first President was Perry G. Childs. It
performed a successful business during the years of its ex-
istence, upTio the expiration of its charter, January ist, 1858,
The Bank of Cazenovia was incorporated February 21st,
1856, with a capital of $120,000, secured by stocks and
mortgages on real estate. The first board of directors
were : Charles Stebbins, Ledyard Lincklaen, Benj. F. Jar-
vis, John Hobbie, David M. Pulford, Austin" Van Riper,
Lewis Raynor, Reuben Parsons and E. M. Holmes. The
first officers were : Charles Stebbins, President ; B. F.
Jarvis, Cashier. It survived the panic of 1857, and well
maintained its reputation as a reliable institution. In 1865,
it was changed to the National Bank of Cazenovia, with a
capital of $150,000. Its present officers (1870) are: B. F.
Jarvis, President ; Cyrus Parsons, Vice President ; C. B.
Crandall, Cashier.

CENTRAL NEW YORK CONFERENCE SEMINARY.

In 1824, the project was originated to establish a Con-
ference Seminary in Cazenovia. The proposition was, to
take the court house and remodel it suitably for school use,
and so release the Methodists — who had purchased it for a
place of worship, and were in debt — from their oppressive
liability. The public mind was, at the time, active in enter-
prises ; various improvements were being originated ; liter-
ature was on the advance, and receiving encouragement
everywhere, and facilities, at this point, for higher grades
in education, seemed to be imperatively demanded. Rev.
Charles Giles, one of the most prominent ministers of the
Conference, in his " Pioneer," writes : —

" At this favorable juncture, I was fully convinced that the
time had come for our Conference to engage in a public literary
enterprise. Learning being an auxiliary to religion in every
department of the Church, we, therefore, greatly needed a liter-
ary institution, under the supervision and patronage of the Con-
ference, and Providence, at this time, was opening a way for us
to engage effectually in the undertaking."

A village meeting was called ; much public spirit was mani-

CAZENOVIA. 233

fested, and the movement seemed to be indeed timely. It was
embraced in the plan that the institution was to be conducted
upon liberal principles ; sectarianism was to form no branch of
instruction ; the students would be left free to attend any church
of their choice. Rev. George Gary, Perry G. Childs, and John
Williams, of Cazenovia, did all that could be done to give form
and tangibility to the design, and Rev. Charles Giles carried it
up to the next annual Conference to obtain official action upon
it. The project seemed visionary, but a resolution was passed
which gave sanction to the plan. Says the above writer : —
"Still, some of the members imagined that it would end there,
and perish like Jonah's gourd ; but no ; we were then provided
with authority for action ; hence we moved onward, constitution-
ally and with zeal, to test the liberality of our friends and the
community around us. After struggling with opposition, and
enduring many cares and embarrassments, our efforts were
crowned with success, and the seminary finally became estab-
lished."

It was incorporated as the " Seminary of the Genesee
Conference," in 1825 ; it was the first institution of that
grade established by the Methodists on the American con-
tinent. In 1829, the Oneida Conference was formed from
a part of the territory belonging to the Genesee, and the
name of the seminary was changed to " Seminary of Gene-
see and Oneida Conference." In 1835, it was changed to
" Oneida Conference Seminary," which name it retained
until 1868, at which date a new Conference was formed,
embracing Oneida, Oswego, Madison, Onondaga, Cayuga
and Cortland counties, and named the " Central New York
Conference," that of " Oneida Conference " being dropped.
Subsequently, the seminary has taken on the name of the
Conference as last instituted.

The court house was a substantial brick building, stand-
ing on a conspicuous and beautiful location ; it formed the
nucleus of the present seminary buildings. In 1830, the
court-house building was remodeled and added to, and now
the whole presents a pleasing and noble appearance.

From an historical poem, delivered by Rev. Dwight Wil-
liams before Conference in Cazenovia, April 19, 1868, the
subjoined is extracted : —

234 MADISON COUNTY.

" At the Conference call [1830] ']

The young Oneida, with beginnings small,
Musters her sons. Where now yon classic pile
Lifts up its towers to greet the sunlight's smile,
The first our infant Conference was called ;
The Court-House building, old and yellow walled,
Was then both learning and religion's shrine.
And here our fathers met for work divine.
Ah, well ! perhaps our Conference was nursed
Within our honored Abna Mater first ;
Give her the double honors she hath earned
Since first the fires upon her alter burned.
These walls of stone,* within whose shadows we
Convene to-day, were resting silently
Within the deep primeval ledge.
Nor yet had known the touch of chisel's edge ;
Our ark had but a transient resting-place,
And on yon Chapel fell the precious grace,
As once on Obed Edoms' house it fell.
And friend and stranger felt the charmed spell."

Rev. Nathaniel Porter was the first Principal of the
institution. How he labored to establish the Seminary
with a respectable reputation and give it a high standing ;
how he toiled to elevate the M. E. Church in the vicinity ;
how he bore the heaviest burdens and toiled unceasingly
until his energies were exhausted, is vividly remembered by
many whose hearts ^vere deeply in the cherished work.
Dr. Porter went from Cazenovia to New Jersey, in 1830,
to recruit his broken health. The anticipations of his
friends failed, for he died in Newark, in that State, August
II, 1 83 1, in the 31st year of his age. He was talented
and successful, and in his death there passed beyond the
constellation of the M. E. Conference a bright star of light,
distinguished for its brilliancy, purity and warmth, growing
all the more bright as it passed away.

Rev. Augustus W. Smith succeeded Dr. Porter as Prin-
cipal. The subsequent Principals we name in their order
as follows : — W. C. Larrabee, George Peck, G. G. Hapgood,
Henry Bannister, (continued 15 years,) E. G. Andrews,!

* The Methodist Church.

•j- Served twelve years, — he is now one of the Bishops of the M. E. Church.

CAZENOVIA. 235

A. S. Graves, and W. S. Smyth, who is the present incum-
bent. In 1840, the number of pupils was 327, in 1871, 555.
The Seminary has ever maintained a high standing, num-
bering among its pupils many who have from time to time
gone forth to fill the most honored stations in society.
Our Leuislative Chambers, our Judicial Halls, have noble
men who trace their fitting for usefulness back to the
kindly walls of Cazenovia Seminary. Our institutions of
learning, our missions in India, China and other quarters of
the globe, are filled with earnest laborers, talented men and
women, who hold, with love and reverence, memories of the
careful guidance and wise training of this, their Alma
Mater.

In 1870, the Seminary buildings were improved, and a
large addition was put on. In every respect the old build-
ings were made convenient by modern appliances, and
beautified by modern art. Its facilities for accommodating
its increasing patronage have been greatly enhanced. The
trustees have secured a new charter of incorporation, and
a corporate seal.

PROMINENT MEN.

Theophilus Cazenove "was the first General Agent of the
Holland Company. When the Compaify made their first pur-
chase of lands in the interior of this State and Pennsylvania, soon
after 1790, he had arrived in this country and acted as their
agent. In all the negotiations and preliminary proceedings
connected with the large purchase of Robert Morris, of this
region, the interests of the Company were principally confided
to him. His name is intimately blended with the whole history
of the title. When the purchase was perfected he was made
General Agent, and under his auspices the surveys were com-
menced. The author can only judge of him from such manu-
script records as came from his hands. These exhibit good
business qualifications and great integrity of purpose. In all
the embarrassments that attended the perfecting of the title, he
seems to have been actuated by honorable and praiseworthy
motives, and to have assisted, with a good deal of ability, the
legal managers of the Company's interests."*

He returned to Europe in 1799, ending then his connec-

* TuVner's History of the Holland Purchase.

236 MADISON COUNTY.

tion with the Company. He resided for a considerable
time in London, after which he went to Paris, and we believe
it was in M. De Talleyrand's home that he died.

JOHN LINCKLAEN.

Very much of Mr. Lincklaen's active part in the early
history of this county, will have been gathered from the
history of the town of Cazenovia, and it may lend to his
name sufficient interest to justify a brief personal mention
of his life ; one in which a bold and adventurous spirit was
controlled by a firm character, and one which, commenc-
ing in the gay life of European capitols, ended peacefully
in a home of his own making in the New World.

Jan von Lincklaen was born in Amsterdam, Holland,
December 24, 1768. His boyhood was principally passed
in Switzerland, where he was educated by a private tutor.
At the age of fourteen he entered the Dutch Navy, remain-
ing in the service for some years, and attaining promotion
to the rank of Lieutenant under Admiral De Winter. While
in this service be visited the most important places in
Europe and Asia, and passed some considerable time at
Smyrna and Ceylon.

In the year 1790, he came to this country under the
patronage of Mr. Stadnitski of Amsterdam, the principal
director of the Holland Land Company's affairs in
America.

In the year 1792, he penetrated the wilderness of
Central New York, and surveyed the land subsequently
purchased by the Holland Land Company, and early in the
following year {1793), intrusted with the agency of the
tract, he commenced the actual settlement of Cazenovia,
naming it after his friend Mr. Cazenove, an Italian.
Young, active, and persevering, he turned his attention to
the needs of his new settlement, and at once commenced
laying out roads, building bridges, erecting mills and ware-
houses, and all that a new home demanded, and he soon
found himself surrounded by a prosperous community, in

INC KI^AK^J^.

or (■a-/(M\<>vi;i.

CAZENOVIA. 237

the place where his refined taste had induced him to make
his new home.

In this active way he labored for nearly thirty years, and
won for himself a reputation for integrity and accuracy,
and proved himself in all ways a friend to the poor, and a
neighbor devoted to the welfare of his townsmen.

John Lincklaen's name was also connected with the
Holland Purchase in the Genesee country. According to
the then existing laws of this State, those of the Holland
Company then in Holland, could not purchase and hold real
estate, being aliens. After several changes in the trustees,
and transfers of portions of the land, sanctioned by the
Legislature, the whole tract of the celebrated "Morris
Reserve," containing about three and a quarter million acres,
was deeded to the individuals, in their own names, who
represented the three separate branches of the Holland
Company. These were : — Herman Leroy, John Linck-
laen and Gerrit Boon. In conveyances of these vast
estates made subsequently, we find the names of Herman
Leroy and Hannah his wife, John Lincklaen and Helen
his wife, Gerrit Boon, Paul Busti, William Bayard, James
McEvers, the Willinks, and others.

His acquaintance embraced many learned and distin-
guished men, (among them Talleyrand, at the time seeking
in America a refuge from European disturbances ;) and
his reading, as evinced by his library, was varied and
extensive, in English, Dutch and French. He rendered
the English language with purity and ease, for which we
have the excellent authority of President Nott, of Union
College, who said that he knew of no foreigner who used
our language so correctly as Mr. Lincklaen. His tastes
were scholarly and literary, which gave to his graceful per-
son, always elegant in dress and manner, an air of refine-
ment, and which marked him as one of nature's superior
types of men. His high sense of honor, his deep love of
integrity, together with his fineness of organization,

238 MADISON COUNTY.

placed him beyond the ordinary mind ; hence there seemed
between himself and the mass a distance, perhaps affecting
his general popularity, which was not the offspring of pride,
but was, rather, owing to an awkwardness in adapting him-
self to the mass. Between himself and Peter Smith there
existed intimate business and friendly relations, their friend-
liness being in a great measure cemented by harmonious
views in politics, both being Federalists. Frequent visits
were interchanged in which Gerrit Smith, then a youth,
often participated. In those days Gerrit Smith learned to
admire and love Mr. Lincklaen, whose fine and noble
qualities, in all the years that have passed, he has cherished
and revered ; and now he says : — "in my eye Mr. Linck-
laen was a beautiful man, a lovely character."

Mr. Vanderkemp* and Col. Mappa, two of his most inti-
mate friends, were Unitarians, and for a time he was in-
fluenced by this doctrine. His pastor, Rev. Mr. Leonard,
leaned toward these views, but during the ministry of Rev.
Mr. Brown, who succeeded Rev. Leonard about 1814, in a
revival of great power, Mr. Lincklaen devoted himself to a
candid consideration of religious views, which led to his
adopting the Trinitarian belief and devoting himself to a
Christian life, and all his after life attested to the earnest-
ness and fullness of his convictions.

In forwarding the erection of the " Old Church on the
Green," he gave his time and means unsparingly, and the
noble frame and graceful spire raised at that time, are now
the just pride of a large congregation, who have made of the
old landmark one of the most beautiful churches in our
county.

His first residence was on the ground now covered by
the house of Sidney T. Fairchild, Esq. This building was
destroyed by fire in 1806, and he then selected his place at
the foot of the Lake, on a site that commands a beautiful

*Mr. Vanderkemp was employed by the State to translate the old Dutch records
into English.

CAZENOVIA. 239

view of the entire length of Owahgena. This house, built
of brick, is still standing, occupied by the family, and is
evidence of his thorough care in working soundly and well.

The original warehouse and store was on the Lake, west
of the outlet, among the venerable trees of a white oak open-
ing. The Land Office was for a time near his entrance
gate, and afterwards in a building erected for the purpose
on land at the foot of Albany street.

The agency passed on to one, to whom he gave the posi-
tion of an adopted son, J. D. Ledyard, whose eldest sister,
he married in 1797.

Mr. Ledyard eventually assumed the entire remaining
property from the Holland Land Company, and by him the
office was removed again (to open a full view of the Lake
from the village), and a third building was built in
the business part of Cazenovia, where it now (1870,) re-
mains.

At this time the business of the tract is comparatively
small. A limited number of contracts are yet unpaid, but
the "settlers" are fast paying them up and taking their
deeds ; and of the original one hundred and thirty thousand
acres of this Holland purchase, now only four or five hun-
dred acres remain unsold ; and as railways are threading
the valleys through which Mr. Lincklaen and his men made
their "blaze marks," these will soon be purchased and
cleared, and ere long the whole venture that brought an
European Naval Officer to settle on fair Owahgena, will be
only a matter of local history.

Mr. Lincklaen's eventful and active life was changed to
that of a suffering invalid in 1820, by paralysis, and his
death resulted from the disease no skill or care could avert,
on the 9th of February, 1822, while he was yet at the age
of many hale men, fifty-four years.

Samuel S. Foreman came with John Lincklaen as a
merchant and remained in Cazenovia several years. Under

240 MADISON COUNTY.

Mr. Lincklaen's patronage, he had at one time several
stores established in small villages in different sections of
the county. He was an energetic, public spirited man and
possessed much influence. He subsequently removed to
Syracuse. The author is indebted to him for much of the
early history of Cazenovia.

Jonathan Foreman was an elder brother of Samuel S.
Foreman. He was an officer in the Revolutionary war, en-
listing as ensign and rising by regular grades to Colonel.
He held a General's commission in the militia, was very
energetic in forming the old Military Brigade of Madison
County, and was always prominent at parades, having a true
soldierly beariiig. These brothers were relatives of Hon.
Joshua Foreman, the founder of Syracuse. Miss Helen
Ledyard, who became the wife of John Lincklaen, was a
niece of the Foreman brothers.

New Woodstock Village is situated in the south part
of the town of Cazenovia. David and Jonathan Smith, and
Charleville Webber were the first settlers in this locality.
These men it is said came in before Mr. Lincklaen's settling-
party, — stopped awhile at the shanty at the lake, and af-
terwards staked out their lots and settled near the site of
New Woodstock. Isaac Warren, Robert Fisher and John
Savage were also among the first settlers of this part of the
town. Ralph Knight, (who was living in 1869, and the old-
est resident of the village,) was born in New Woodstock,
December 18th, 1796. Erastus Smith (also living in
1869*) was another of the early native born citizens ot New
Woodstock. Joseph Holmes, a settler of 1801, was from
Chesterfield County, New Hampshire — his native place
being Munson, Mass. Squire Letus Lathrop, and Edmund
Knowlton are other residents of the town who were among
the earliest natives of this place.

■•■'■The date in which the author acquired this information.

CAZENOVIA. 241

This village being on the well traveled road, from Caze-
novia southward through Road Township, was quite early
a conspicuous settlement. The first Baptist Church of
Cazenovia was organized here as its history shows, and the
first meeting house of the town was built in this village in
1803. There was a store, a tavern and some shops at that
time. A Methodist class was formed here, and Rev. Mr.
Paddock and other Methodist ministers preached at this
place at stated periods, before 1820. A select school was
originated, which, after a few years of successful operation,
was incorporated by Legislature as " New Woodstock
Academy." The date of the Act was May 2nd, 1834. It
is now extinct. At a later date the M. E. Church was
built. A fine school house has been erected at a recent
date, at a cost of about ;^3,000. In this a first-class graded
school is kept. There is an extensive Glove Manufactory
in New Woodstock. Its proprietors are (1869) Erastus
Abbott, Joseph L. Hatch, James L. Savage, Elijah B. War-
lock and Thomas Warlock. The village has also two car-
riage and wagon shops, several mechanic shops and mills,
a hotel, four stores, besides its two churches, and about
300 inhabitants.

A Good Templar's Lodge has been in existence about
five years. It has thus far proved to be an institution, suc-
cessful in sustaining itself, and in performing its sacred
mission. (Note d)

CHURCHES*.

TJie Presbyterian C7/z/n:/5 of Cazenovia Village, was formed

in 1799, with eight members. Rev. Joshua Leonard was

first pastor. The first place of worship was a school

house, after the style of a chapel, situated on the west

side of Sullivan street, north of the Green. In 1807, the

society erected the first church edifice of the town. It was

situated on the north side of the Parade Ground, facins;

Hurd street.

TJie First Baptist Church of Cazenovia, was organized in
p

242 MADISON COUNTY.

New Woodstock, in 1799. Elder Bacon was temporary pas-
tor. In 1803, the society, with the Presbyterians, built a
meeting house. In 1820, the Cazenovia Village Baptist
Church was formed. This society had, however, existed as a'
separate division since 1803, and had built their church
about 1818. This was burned in 1871, and a fine new one
erected on its site the same year.

The M. E. Church of Cazenovia Village. A class was
formed in this village as early as 18 16, which existed till
1824, when it was reorganized by Rev. Geo. Gary. Rev.
Fitch Reed first pastor. In 1830, they built the stone
church. This has been removed, and a fine new one is
being erected on the spot.

The Congregational Church of Cazenovia Village, was built
about 1838. The society are mostly removed. The build-
ing: is now known as Concert Hall.

St. Peters Church, Episcopal, of Cazenovia Village, was
organized in 1845. Edifice built in 1848. First pastor,
Rev. Mason Gallagher.

First Universalist Church of Cazenovia, was organized in
1853. The church edifice was erected in 1853-4. It is
situated at the foot of Williams street.

St. James Church, Catholic, located near the old Parade
Ground, was built in 1848.

NEWSPAPERS.

Two newspapers in Madison County claim the precedence as
being the first established ; the Aladison Ff-eeholder, published at
Peterboro, and the Pilot at Cazenovia — both originating in the
year 1808.

The Pilot was started in August, 1808, by Oran E. Baker, and
continued till August, 1823.

The Republican Monitor was instituted in Cazenovia, in Sep-
tember, 1823, by L. L. Rice. It was published by John F.
Fairchild from April, 1825, to January, 1832 ; by J. F. Fairchild
& Son, till July, 1840, and by J. F. Fairchild till March 4th,
1841, when it was discontinued.

The Studenfs Miscellany, semi-monthly, was published at Caz-
enovia in 1831, by A. Owen and L. Kidder.

The Union Herald wizs commenced in May, 1835, by L. My-

CAZENOVIA, 243

rick and E. W. Clark. In 1836, Mr. Clark withdrew, and in
1840 the paper was discontinued.

The Cazenovia Democrat was started in September, 1836, by
J. W. Chubbuck & Co., edited by J. Dwinnell. In February,
1837, it was discontinued.

The Madison County Eagle was commenced in this village in
February, 1840, by Cyrus O. Pool. In 1841, it was published
by Thomas S. Myrick and W. H. Phillips. In June, 1842, My-
rick withdrew, and in May, 1845, it was changed to

The Afadison County W/iig. In August, 1848, Phillips was
succeeded by H. A. Cooledge, by whom the paper was changed
to

The Madison Cowity Neti)s in October, 1853. In May, 1854,
it was again changed to

T\\Q. Madison County Whig, and in January, 1857, was discon-
tinued.

The Abolitionist Via.?, started in Cazenovia, in 1841, by Luther
Myrick, and continued two years.

The Madison and Onondaga Abolitionist was also published
here, in 1843, by I.uther Myrick and J. C. Jackson.

The Madison Republic was commenced in this village in Jan-
uary, 1850, by W. H. Phillips, and continued about three
months.

The Cazenovia Gazette was published by Baker & Debnam,
from October, 185 1, to May, 1852.

The Progressive Christian was established in April, 1853, by
A. Pryne, and was continued two years.

The Cazenovia Republican was started May ist, 1854, by Sen-
eca Lake. It was subsequently published by Crandall Bros. ;
afterwards by the Forte Bros., and now (1872) by E. B. Cran-
dall, Irving C. Forte, editor.

The Madison Observer was first issued in Cazenovia, in Janu-
ary, 1821, by Rice & Hall. It was removed to Morrisville in
1822.

244 MADISON COUNTY,

CHAPTER V.

DE RUYTER.

Boundaries. — Lincklaen's Purchase. — Original Division ofTowns
and their Names. — Naming of DeRuyter. — Party of Pioneers.
— Opening of Roads. — Historical Incident. — Joseph Mes-
senger.— Squire Samuel Thompson. — Names of Pioneers. —
First Death. — First Birth. — First School. — DeRuyter Village
in 1805. — First Improvements at Sheds Corners and early
Settlers in that Vicinity. — Quaker Basin. — DeRuyter Village
in 1809. — Cold Season of 1816. — Affecting Incident. — Incon-
veniences and Privations. — Customary Amusements. — Inci-
dents.— Schools and their Teachers. — Distinguished Sons of
DeRuyter. — The Village • in 1832. — Incorporation. — Lively
Progress. — S. D. B. Institute. — Sketches of DeRuyter Citi-
zens.— Churches. — Newspapers.

DeRuyter is the southwest corner town of Madsson
County. It is bounded north by Cazenovia, east by George-
town, south by Chenango County, and west by Onondaga
and Cortland Counties. The principal stream of this town
is the Tioughneoga River, which, however, has numerous
branches. Along this river a beautiful valley of richly fer-
tile soil spreads out, and on either side rise the summits of
hills, some of which are 400 to 500 feet in hight. Pretty
valleys follow the course of the Tioughneoga tributaries.
A branch of the Otselic has its source in the southeast part
of this town, along the course of which the Midland railroad
finds its way among the hills into the town of Otselic.

DeRuyter, previous to 1795, was included in the ancient
town of Whitestown and was a part of the famous " Linck-

DE RUYTER. 245

laen Purchase." " Tromp Township" was the original
name given by Mr. Lincklaen to this town, which it re-
tained while it belonged to that portion of the purchase ly-
ing in Chenango County. A portion of " Road Township "
is also included in DeRuyter. The ancient line between
Tromp and Road Townships passed just south of Sheds
Corners, and crossed the lands which are the present farms
of widow W. I. Alvord, Samuel Smith, Orville Fowler and
Asaph Smith. By reference to maps, it will be seen that
the line of lots here change their numbers, showing that
the original survey, when those towns were recognized, still
holds good. The familiar name of "Tromptown" was not
readily dropped when this, with No. i and No. 6 of the Clin-
ton purchase, became in 1795, a part of Cazenovia ; but
when an act was passed March 15th, 1798, authorizing the
formation of the new town of DeRuyter, its inhabitants
soon grew to be familiar with the illustrious title. At its
formation under this act, it embraced its present limits, with
Georgetown, in Madison County, and Lincklaen, Otselic,
German and Pitcher in Chenango County. Its population
in 1800 was 310. The name of DeRuyter was given by
Mr. Lincklaen in honor of his countryman, Admiral DeRuy-
ter, of the Dutch Navy, an illustrious personage in the his-
tory of Holland,

At the date of March 21, 1806, when the County of
Madison was formed, that part of DeRuyter lying within
the County of Chenango was taken off, and in 1815, when
Georgetown was organized, two miles of the then town of
Cazenovia was added.

In 1793, Col. John Lincklaen employed the services of
Nathaniel Locke, by whom this tract was surveyed, when
it was immediately opened for settlement. In this same
year a small party of emigrants wended their way southward
from Cazenovia into the pathless, unbroken wilderness of
DeRuyter, or Tromptown, as then called. Their progress
was impeded by heavy underbrush which they were com-

246 MADISON COUNTY.

pelled to cut from their pathway, and which, aided by the
trees they marked, left them a passably well defined route
for communication with the outer world. They halted near
the confluence of the three streams, whose narrow valleys,
united, form the entrance to the expanding and beautiful
valley of the river which yet bears its Indian title, " Tiough-
neoga," (said to be " Te-ah-hah-hogue " in the aboriginal
dialect) meaning " the meeting of roads and waters at the
same place." *

On the rolling land, up from the river full two miles from
DeRuyter village, Elijah and Elias Benjamin, from Dutchess
County, N. Y., and Eli Colgrove, from Rhode Island, se-
lected their location on lots contiguous to each other ; —
the two Benjamin families coming together, and the latter
at or about the same time. Elijah Benjamin's family con-
sisted of three sons, — Elias P., David and Elijah E. Benja-
min. The last named son is the only one of those pioneers
now living. He resides in DeRuyter village, is now (1871)
eighty-two years of age, and in possession of mental and
physical health unusual for a person of his years. These
settlers obtained their farms of Mr. Lincklaen at the almost
nominal price of fifty cents per acre, — farms which are now-
worth $100 per acre.

At an early date Colonel Lincklaen opened two roads
through his purchase ; they were called the east and west
roads. The west road was first laid out, and extended the
whole length of his tract, — or from Cazenovia to German.
The engineer employed in cutting this road had a corps of
four axmen and one teamster, among whom were two of
the hardy Jerseymen who came on to Cazenovia with Mr.
Lincklaen, — John Wilson and James Smith. The
former located in the town of Lincklaen ; the latter was
long afterwards a resident of DeRuyter. These road-cut-
ters found the wilderness to be continuous and extremely
dense, from DeRuyter settlement southward, far into Ger-

* See Spafford's Gazetteer, 1812.

DE RUYTER. 24/

man. There were five families then Hving in the latter
town in the utmost seclusion, their only communication
with the civilized world being by a " blazed " route to
Oxford. Two of these families were named Doran, and the
three others Vanauker. They were ignorant of the ap-
proach of any settlement from the northward, and con-
sequently on the evening that the road party were nearing
them, and the sound of axes and echo of voices could be
heard, no small amount of speculation and excitement was
produced thereby. Some of the men were gone to mill to
Oxford, but returned that night and found their families had
gathered together and made their calculations. If the
coming band were Indians they were to be prepared to
accept them as they came ; if friendly, they should meet
a friendly reception ; if hostile, then otherwise ; — but if
the new comers proved what the evidences led them to
believe — a band of emigrants — great would be their joy !
And if this was indeed so, they then queried, where could
they come from ? — so far as they knew all settlements and
thoroughfares in the direction whence these were approach-
ing, were many leagues to the northward ; and why should
emigrants cross the great Indian country intervening, when
the traveled routes from the east were far preferable ?
Such and similar queries and speculations were indulged in
till a late hour, and sleep scarce visited this log hamlet that
night. Early the following morning the engineer, while
his men were preparing breakfast, walked out to reconnoitre^
and in a short time reached the little settlement. There
were mutual and hearty greetings, even though between
strangers, tor all were glad to look upon new faces ; there were
rapid and eager questionings from the settlers, and ready
and satisfactory answers giveru The worthy and hospit-
able Vanauker, earnestly pressed the stranger to take break-
fast Vv^ith them, but the invitation was respectfully declined,
on account of the anxiety his men at camp would be sure
to feel if his absence was prolonged ; he left, however.

248 • MADISON COUNTY.

promising that himself and men would gladly avail them-
selves of the hospitalities of their host's house that night,
and as an evidence of the welcome they would meet with,
the men of the settlement took their axes, went out to the
woodsmen, and helped them through. That night was
the most eventful and happy one that had yet closed upon
the settlement ; it brought to their doors a road which was
to give them communication with neighbors. From that
time forward they became closely connected in intercourse
with the settlement at De Ruyter.

Joseph Messenger and Samuel Thompson settled in this
town in 1795. The former located on lot No. 20, and built
the first tavern in the town. It was a large, double log
house, and stood but a few rods from the present dwelling
of George Lewis, who now occupies the farm. The Messen-
ger Tavern was for many years the famous stopping place
for the numerous emigrants coming in to settle the Linck-
laen purchase, and many a way-worn traveler had cause to
remember with gratitude the kindness of the proprietor. Mr,
Messenger was employed by Mr. Lincklaen to cut through
the east road, which runs on the ridge east of DeRuyter to
the town of Lincklaen, and which the older inhabitants
remember to have long borne the name of the " Joe" road.
Upon the farm that he took up, cleared and cultivated,
Joseph Messenger died and was buried. Upon the head-
board, above his remains, the following epitaph was written,
which, although not transferred to the marble his family
reared in affectionate memory, was nevertheless true : —

" Here lies the remains of old Uncle Joe,
A Mejsenger here a long time ago;
Pioneer of the woods and worker of the way.
He did a great deal of work for a little pay."

Mrs. Messenger, or "Aunt Mima," as she was called, was
a most excellent christian woman and beloved by every-
body. Her character combined the requisites which highly
qualified her for all the duties and needs of the new
country. Courageous and self-reliant, she feared not to

DE RUYTER. 249

mount her horse, (astride if the case -was urgent,) at any
time of night, and ride ever so far in the woods, to attend
the wants of the sick. As a safe and skillful practitioner
of midwifery, her celebrity extended over a wide circuit.

Squire Samuel Thompson settled on Lot No. 4, where
members of his family still reside. He was a marked char-
acter of the period — a famous hunter, a wonderful marks-
man, and from various other characteristics, similar to one
of Cooper's heroes, he was called the " Leather-Stocking " of
this section. The following extract from the DeRuyter
" New Era," tells one of the many stories related of this rare
character : —

'' In his prime he was a bundle of nerves and bone, nothing
else. On a time, he went to the village of Cazenovia, or, as it
was termed in those days, "up to the Lake." His business,
which was with the late Col. Lincklaen, being over, Mr. T.
stepped into the street, and passing along, unconscious of danger,
met a sort of crazy, drunken chap, who, without prelude or cere-
mony, struck him a most unexpected blow over the head. Sud-
den as a flash, the assailed returned the ' how d'ye do ' with a
tremendous whack over the other's pate, who, seeing the stars
fall, cried out lustily, ' Oh, you shouldn't strike me ! I'm a crazy
man !' Instantly the old squire, whose motions were as quick as
lightning, hauled off again, giving him another crack, with the
retort, ' D — n you ! I'm as crazy as you be !' leaving bedlamite
sprawling on the walk, to come to his senses as best he might."

Squire Thompson died a few years since, at the advanced
age of ninety.

Joseph Rich came in from Connecticut about 1795, and
took up Lot No. 36, which is traversed by the Tioughneo-
ga, where, in 1807, he built the first saw mill, and, in 1809,
the first grist mill in this town. These mills were in oper-
ation until the construction of the DeRuyter Reservoir,
which cut off the supply of a large part of the stream. The
same property is now owned by DeGrand Benjamin, a
grandson of Joseph Rich.

The isolated band of DeRuyter pioneers, located in as
-close proximity to each other as the size of their farms
would permit ; they opened clearings which year by year

250 MADISON COUNTY.

widened and lengthened. It was a most salubrious situa-
tion, and the success which attends vigorous health and
favorable natural surroundings, was theirs. The fame of
their local advantages was not long in reaching their former
homes in the east, and large numbers were induced to emi-
grate.

Eleazer Gage, from Dutchess County, with his sons, Jus-
tus, Eli, Samuel, Ira and Jeremiah, came before 1800, and
also Darius Benjamin, all of whom located south of, and ad-
joining this settlement, some of them opening clearings
where DeRuyter village now stands. Darius Benjamin
cleared the land and set out a small orchard on his place,
very near the new cemetery.

Jeremiah Gage built, at an early day, the tavern between
the Messenger House and the village — two miles north of
the latter — now owned by Newell Reeve, and re-modeled
into a mansion-like farm house. The Gages became thrifty,
well-to-do farmers, and as a family, were public spirited,
and possessed influence. Eli Gage was quite popular as a
political man. He was Supervisor for several years, and
many years a Justice of the Peace. Only one of this once
numerous family lives in town — Edwin Gage, grandson of
Justus. Ira Gage Barnes, adopted son of Capt. Jeremiah
Gage, became quite prominent as a teacher, and also held the
office of Supervisor and of School Inspector. On the death
of Jeremiah Gage, he succeeded to his estate. He subse-
quently moved into DeRuyter, and established a banker's
and broker's office. He was a successful business man,
prominent and influential. He now resides in Syracuse.

Daniel Page, from Dutchess County, came before 1800,
and at an early date — perhaps 1806 — opened the first pub-
lic house in DeRuyter village. It was a frame building,
and on the erection of the Annas House on the same site,
it was moved off the ground ; it now stands adjacent to the
hotel, and is used as a drug store.

William and Thompson Burdick, brothers, came from

DE RUYTER. 25 I

Hopkinton, Rhode Island, in the year 1795. Thompson
Burdick's deed of his farm bears date, May ist, 1795. These
brothers located their farms in the vicinity of the chapel,
north of DeRuyter. Thompson's house stood next the
chapel, (which was afterwards built,) and the farm of Wil-
liam, Lot No. 128, adjoined his. The family record of
Thompson Burdick discloses the fact that David Burdick,
his son, was born May 25, 1796, which makes this the first
birth in the town of DeRuyter. The Burdicks reared large
families, who were generally thrifty and enterprising. Be-
ginning poor, they attained a competence ; they were men
of good judgment, safe, trustworthy, substantial, and locally
public spirited. Two sons of Thompson — Albert G. and
Joseph — settled in this town. The surviving sons of Wil-
liam— Ira C, Kenyon and Lorenzo, reside in this town, and
are farmers.

Prominent among the early settlers in the north part of
the town, were three brothers — Jonathan, Luke, and
Pardon Coon — who took up, cleared and improved fine
farms, and reared large families, sons and daughters, most
of whom lived to the estate of manhood and womanhood,
contributing numbers and strength, virtue and intelligence
to the native population of the town.

David Paddock, Gideon Foster, Samuel Bowen, James
Nye and David Mayne, sen., also came early.

Samuel Bowen kept the first store opened in the town,
on the side hill, just north of the corporation, on the turn-
pike (or plank road).

James Nye located on Lot 54, where he cleared a beau-
tiful farm, and resided many years.

David Mayne located at the head of the reservoir ; he
reared a large family, several being daughters, all of them
dying in youth. This tamily were at one time prominent.
David Mayne, jr., was a surveyor and teacher, a Justice of
the Peace for many years, and a member of Assembly. He
was a man of great memory, of good judgment, and was

252 MADISON COUNTY.

highly respected. One of his sons resides on the home-
stead, the other is a teacher in Rochester.

Aaron, Belden, Isaac and Nathan Paddock, young men,
came with their mother from Dutchess County, and located
north of DeRuyter. All were afterwards married and re-
mained in this vicinity. At one time they also were a prom-
inent family.

Holbrook and Hitchcock came in 1802, and took up their
farms adjoining DeRuyter, in the town of Cuyler. Being
so near the village, where they transacted business, they
were reckoned as belonging to DeRuyter.

The first death in town was that of Gideon Foster, which
occurred in 1796. It was early in the spring, and the
scarcity of food for cattle compelled all the settlers to resort
to browsing. Mr. Foster, in his labor of this kind, over-
taxed his strength, and brought on an aggravated form of
hernia, to which he was subject, which terminated in his
death in forty-eight hours. Any decimation of their small
numbers caused real sorrow in this community, and the
suddenness of this event, removing one by death, was there-
fore felt as a calamity. A burial ground was then laid out,
on the farm of Eljah Benjamin, and here, for the first time,
the earth closed over the body of a white settler. This spot
was for many years the only burial ground of this vicinity ;
the remains of many of DeRuyter's pioneers are resting
here.

Dr. Hubbard Smith was the pioneer physician and was
the only one for many years. His practice was an extensive
one, and he was universally esteemed. Dr. Smith early
built the house which is now the boarding house of the De-
Ruyter Institute. He was the first Postmaster of DeRuy-
ter.

The first school house in town was a log structure built
on lot No. 20, near the Messenger tavern. Eli Gage was
the first teacher, in the winter of 1 799.

Frederick, the fourth son of Elijah Benjamin, was the

DE RUYTER. 253

second white native (as the records show) of DeRuyter,
born in 1798. He received his fine and healthy physical,
moral and mental education in this town ; to the influences
of his home was he indebted for the true manhood he bore
with him to the home of his adoption in Belvidere, 111. He
died in the autumn of 1868, aged seventy-four years.

We have the names of several v/ho came previous to
1805: Abram Sutton, from Westchester County, N. Y.,
John Pierce and wife, from New York ; Dr. Ephraim Otis,
from Saratoga, N. Y. ; Job Webb, from Hudson, N. Y., and
Benjamin Stratton.

Tiddeman Hull and his son George, came from Hudson,
Columbia County, N. Y., in 1805. They located in the
town of Cuyler, Cortland County, abput two miles from
DeRuyter village ; living so near, they were regarded as a
part of the same brotherhood of pioneers. Their " meet-
ing" (Friends,) was at DeRuyter, and ^their business was
transacted there. These men cleared a large farm. At
this period DeRuyter village had only about six log houses.
A little building containing a few goods, situated where the
meat market now stands, was called a store and was kept by
one Gray. There was more business transacted at other
settlements in the vicinity than here. The mills of Paddock
& Benjamin exhibited considerable enterprise; the Hulls,
however, at a period somewhat later, but previous to 181 5,
built a grist mill and saw mill, and kept a store of goods at
their place in Cuyler, and thereby drew a considerable trade
from the DeRuyter settlement. George Hull also manu-
factured cast iron plows, having obtained the right from the
patentee by paying two dollars on every plow he made
The first cast iron plow made in Cortland County was.
turned out at George Hull's establishment, and he sold the
first one that was bought in Madison County. George
Hull is yet living in DeRuyter village, (June 22, 1871,) aged
eighty-five years.

The Harts, two brothers, came from Connecticut and

254 MADISON COUNTY.

located near the village, but over the line in Cortland
County. Abram Hart soon settled in DeRuyter village.

Richard Worth came about the same period, (1805,) and
Joseph Mitchell came from Dutchess County in 1807. The
latter had a wife and family of several children.

Stephen Bogardus was another from Columbia County.
It is related that he moved from there in a wagon, bringing
with him his household goods, a barrel of old irons, (being
a blacksmith,) among which he packed $2,000 of specie, for
safety along a route where sometimes highway robbers
lurked, knowing that emigrants often possessed nice little
sums of money which they had carefully husbanded for
years, to help them on in the new country.

Matthew Wells came into this town* from Petersburg,
Rensselaer County, N. Y., in the year 1800. He located
permanently on lots No. 3 and 4, Tromp Township (125
acres,) and lots No, 129 and 130, Road Township, (89
acres,) making one of the most beautiful and productive
farms of the county, containing 214 acres. His family con-
sisted of one son, Matthew, jr., who was ten years old when
the family moved, and five daughters. They all lived to be
married, and all died in consecutive order from the youngest
to the oldest. Of the family of Matthew Wells, jr., there
were twelve children, eight sons and four daughters, only
four of whom are now living. J. B. Wells of DeRuyter, is
one of the sons.

Eleazer H. Sears was one of the settlers about this time.
His family was quite prominent for many years ; Stephen
G., George S. and Francis Sears, his sons, all now deceased,
were influential men.

Jonathan Bentley, a native of Richmond, Rhode Island,
was married in Easton, N. Y., his wife being a native of
Westerly, Rhode Island. They removed in 1808 to De-
Ruyter. Hampton S. and the late Gen. Z. T. Bentley,
their sons, were children at this time. Mr. Bentley improved
a handsome farm, and reared and educated an influential

DE RUYTER. 255

family. The son, H. S. Bentley, died a few years since in
Michigan. Gen. Z. T. Bentley, died in Oneida in 1870.*

Eli Spear became a settler here previous to 1809.

Benjamin Merchant was also an early settler, and took
up a large farm at the head of the reservoir. His eldest
son, Bradley, now resides on the farm. M. R. Merchant,
another son, is a merchant of DeRuyter village. Hon.
Joseph Warren Merchant is still another of this family.

While the vicinity of DeRuyter village was being fast
populated, other sections of the town were receiving their
share of emigrants. Jonathan Shed came in from Brim-
field, Mass., in the year 1800, and settled on lot No. 118.
From him and his locality, comes the name of " Sheds Cor-
ners." The original frame house built by Mr. Shed was
erected previous to 1812, and stood at the north end of
Alverson B. White's dairy barn, in 1870.

Levi Wood also came from Brimfield, Mass., in the year
1803, and took up lot No. 135. His first purchase,
which was from Mr. Lincklaen, consisted of 1 1 1 acres, for
which he paid $5 an acre. The price of land had doubled
within the past two years, and the increase continued for a
few subsequent years. Mr. Wood sold a portion of his land
the next year at $J per acre. Levi Wood was born in
the town of Munson, Hampton County, Mass., in 1778,
and is consequently now (1869,) ninety-one years old. He
still resides on the noble farm he redeemed from the wilder-
ness. The " Oneida Dispatch," in the autumn of '69, men-
tioned the fact that " Levi Wood, who voted for John
Adams, and at every Presidential election since, was pres-
ent at election (in DeRuyter,) and cast his vote for Grant
and Colfax." The aged veteran is still in possession of ex-
cellent physical and mental health.

When Mr. Wood returned east for his family in 1804, he
took a route leading through Georgetown, and found not
one family from DeRuyter to Lebanon.

* See " sketches " at close of chapter.

256 MADISON COUNTY.

The first frame house built at Sheds Corners was erect-
ed by Pliny Sabins about 1808. D. M. & A. D. Gardner
reside (in 1870,) where Mr. Sabins built.

The first frame barn was built by Caleb Wood, and
stood near the saw mill, on land belonging to Mrs. W. I.
Alvord. As there were no saw mills in the town at that
date, (1806,) the timbers, rafters, braces, &c., were hewn.
The boards, all pine, were drawn from near Cazenovia vil-
lage. The men who assisted at the "raising" came from
distances of five miles around.

The first school house in this district was a log one, sit-
uated on the south side of the road, east of where Levi
Wood resides. Ample territory was embraced in this dis-
trict, and the large families of the pioneers made a full and
flourishing school.

As late as 18 12-13, school was taught at Sheds Corners
in a log house, but during '18 13, the first frame one was put
up, where Willard M. Smith's garden now is, on the north
side of the Georgetown road, near the corner, Jonathan
Shed was the first teacher.

The first death at Sheds Corners was Daniel Alvord,
about 1809.

Among the early settlers in this vicinity were : Daniel
Alvord, from Northampton, Mass. ; David Weeks, from
Long Island ; Caleb Wiley, Benjamin Northrup, John Leet,
from Sherburne, Mass. ; Dwight Gardner, from Brimfield,
Mass. ; Joseph Holmes, native of Munson, Mass.

A number of Quakers came in soon after 1800, and
settled in a romantic spot which was named Quaker Basin.
Among these families may be mentioned the Russels,
Woods, Rings, Shephards, Breeds, Abram Sutton and
others, men of considerable competence, whose sober, in-
dustrious habits have left an indelible impress upon the
character of the town. Abram Sutton came early and set-
tled a half mile north of DeRuyter village; he reared a
large family and a promment one. The only surviving son, ■
Allen, resides in this village.

DE RUYTER. 257

In 1816, the "Friends" meetinghouse at" Quaker Basin "
was built, and is still standing, a specimen of the archi-
tecture common among the Friends all over the country at
that day. It was built of excellent material, which its
shingled sides have protected from decay, in spite of the
wind and weather of more than a half century. Its builder
was Abram Sutton, who performed the job for the sum of
$999, — one dollar less than the figures of any other bidder.

There is a locality east of DeRuyter village, on the line
of the Midland Branch, called Crumb Hill.

Sylvester Crumb and Grace, his wife, came from Rhode
Island about 1803, Eight sons came with them, Sylvester,
jr., William, Joel, Culver, Hosea, Sands, John and Wait.
Sylvester, jr., who had preceded them to the town of Brook-
field, two years before, now joined his father on his removal
to DeRuyter. The father and most of the sons, when they
reached manhood, settled upon the hill which has since
borne their name. The land they t'ok up was a dense
wilderness, and as they were poor, and but little could be
raised the first year, they experienced great privations for a
time.

Col. Elmer D. Jencks came into this town from Smyrna,
in 1809. He was a native of Lenox, Mass., and emigrated
to Smyrna when that town was a dense forest. He located
a mile north of DeRuyter village, where he carried on a dis-
tillery on the Messenger farm. He continued this business
till 1 8 14, when he removed to the village, and entered the
mercantile business in a store located a little west of the
corners. The same building is now (1871,) owned by Lewis
Sears, and is situated west of the M. E. Church. In 1817,
Col. Jencks built a store on the northeast corner, now oc-
cupied by Daniel Scott ; from this time on he continued in
the same business about forty years.

In 1809, DeRuyter village could boast of a tavern, kept
by Daniel Page, and a store, kept by Eli Spear, the latter
situated on the southwest corner where he afterwards kept
Q

25^ MADISON COUNTY.

Store and tavern together. Page's tavern and Spear's store
were frame buildings, and there was a small collection of
houses, moslly log. A saw mill, then owned by Lawrence
Barker, stood on the location of the present one owned by
J. H. Crumb ; also, Eli Spear had a potash located perhaps
ten rods from the southeast corner. Daniel Watson built
about this time the first frame house of the village.

In 1812, DeRuyter was a post-village. The census of
two years before (1810,) gave the town — still including the
present territory of Georgetown, be it remembered — a pop-
ulation of 1,503, with 253 heads of families. There were
then, also, three grain and eight saw mills.

During, or a little subsequent to the last named date, the
fourth Great Western Turnpike, — from Cooperstown to
Homer, — was being built, which was completed about 181 5,
This gave a fresh iijflux of inhabitants to this section,
though the growth of DeRuyter village was gradual.

The first school house of tJie village was built about
1 8 12, and was for many years the only one.

In 1 8 16, came the "cold season." There was a frost in
every month. The crops were cut off, and the meagre
harvest of grain was nowhere near sufficient for the needs
of the people. The whole of the newly settled interior of
New York was also suffering from the same cause. The
inhabitants saw famine approaching.* What little grain
there was that could be purchased at all, was held at
remarkable prices, and this scant supply soon failed. Jon-
athan Bentley at one time paid two dollars for a bushel of
corn, which, when ground, proved so poor that it was unfit
for use ; throwing it to his swine, tney too refused the vile
food. Every resource for sustenance was carefully hus-
banded; even forest berries and roots were preserved.
The spring of 1817 developed the worst phases of want,

*The alarm and depression so wrought upon the feelings of the community, that
a religious revival ensued; and during the summer, Elder Hudson Benedict,
Baptist minister, baptized sixty converts in this town.

DE RUYTER.

259

In various sections of the country, families were brought to
the very verge of starvation ! One relates that he was
obliged to dig up the potatoes he had planted, to furnish
one meal a day to his famishing family ; another states
that his father's family lived for months without bread, save
what was obtained in small crusts for his sick mother, and
that milk was their chief sustenance. When the planting
season arrived there was no seed grain in De Ruyter, so
the inhabitants combined and sent Jeremiah Gage to
Onondaga County to canvass for wheat and corn. He was
absent several days, and the people, all alive to the impor-
tance of his mission, grew discouraged, fearing there was
none to be found. At length he was seen approaching
along the road where the head of the reservoir now is, his
wagon loaded, his handkerchief fastened to a pole and
hoisted, fluttering in the breeze, a signal of joy and plenty.
A crowd quickly gathered ; there was great rejoicing and
tears stood in strong men's eyes. Each family repaired to
Gage's house to receive their quota of grain, and every
household that day was glad. Although a backward
season, that of 1817, furnished sufficient for a fair winter
supply.

The first quarter of the ninteenth century was now pass-
ing ; it had exhibited a phase in history not to be repeated
here i 1 all after time ; and in passing it is well to record
any anecdote illustrating the peculiar trials the inhabitants
had to contend with, the exciting occurrences that engrossed
their attention, and the nature of the enjoyments they
found amid so many privations. As one of these we quote
the following from a newspaper : —

" In the early days the huntsmen found plenty of deer, while
the bear and wolf roamed the forest in unconscious freedom.
Notwithstanding the Onondaga Indians frequently encamped on
I this eastern branch of'their favorite Tioughnioga, and made this
town a part of their vast hunting ground, yet these bold brute
prowlers kept the settlers ever on the alert to guard their flocks,
who in their journeys were usually prepared for a defensive war-
fare, should an encounter occur.

26o MADISON COUNTY,

" An incident, illustrating the royal freedom of the black bear,
occurred in the year 1796. David Paddock, with his two young
nephews, David and Elijah E. Benjamin, were crossing the hill
west of DeRuyter village, when they observed that the small dog
which accompanied them came running in from its circuitous
rambles, exhibiting much fear. However, it again ran off, but
in a short space of time returned, pursued by a huge black bean
The three were unarmed, and their only resort was in climbing
trees. Their fright was great, and their haste rapid, though
they wisely selected trees too small for the bear to ascend easily,
vet large enough to enable them to get beyond her reach. Mis-
tress Bruin, on arriving at the spot, deliberately sat down, com-
placently looked at her captives for some time, and probably
calculating her chances of securing them to be small, and not
being in a ravenous condition, finally arose and marched majes-
tically away into the depths of the forest, to the infinite relief of
the three prisoners.

At one time the wolves considerably decimated the flocks at

Sheds Corners. Levi Wood lost a number of sheep in their

frequent raids, and at one time a bear killed a fine hog for him.

In 1809, there was a great turn out to capture a wolf, which

was killed upon the hill west of the Rich mill.

Thus the settlers were compelled to sustain a perpetual war-
fare with the untamed forces of animate and inanimate nature,
while privations were many, and the appliances of comfort were
few. Rude furniture, much of it of their own manufacture,
graced their humble dwellings, while every article brought from
their native homes was guarded with tender care. Implements
of farming were of the most primitive fashion. The brush drag,
the cumbrous imperfect plow, and other articles few in number,
and unhandy in use, were all our forefathers could afford. All
early transportation was done on horses' backs, and the settler
knew well what a severe task it was to perform a journey to mill,
which, previous to the building of the Rich Mills, was made over
the hills to Onondaga settlement, or up to Cazenovia. The first
one-horse wagon owned in this section, one informant says, be-
longed to Squire John Gardner, about 1820.

After the supplies of ready cash, brought by the settlers when
they came, were exhausted, they had but scanty means for ob-
taining money. In the earliest days nothing they had, brought
cash but " black salts," which every farmer manufjictured from
the ashes saved from "burnings." As soon as clearings pro-
gressed, wheat was raised, but which, for years, brought only
live shillings a bushel. Wages wee extremely low, and each
man preferred to change works v ith his neighbor rather than
pay money.

DE RUYTER. 26 I

And yet, with all their hardships, they prospered ; their wants
were few, and their few pleasures were keenly enjoyed. It was
remarked by an aged lady, that when there were but few families,
living quite distant from each other, a visit was enjoyed to the
utmost, and there was no fear of criticism, gossip or backbitino-
to mar the full flow of friendliness. Modern fashionable calls
and tea-parties, from the very hollowness of the pretensions
made, suffer much in comparison with the noble friendship de-
veloped amid trials.

As population multiplied, and demands of a social nature
increased, parties of pleasure sweetened the days of toil. An
afternoon's visit, perhaps a " bee'" of some nature, a " quilting,"
a "wool picking," or maybe a "husking," is planned, to which
the young ladies for many miles around are invited, — the young
men in the evening coming in on horseback to spend the remain-
ing festive hours, perhaps biinging a violinist with their party.
After the work of the "bee ' is completed, and refreshments
freely dispensed, a few hours of gay amusement terminates the
party, when each gallant places his fair partner upon his
horse behind him. Her long custom to this manner of riding,
enables her to sit with ease and grace, with only the firm grasp
of her little right hand upon the coat of her protector, under
his right arm. The "pillory" is sometimes used, but oftener
dispensed with, the well trained horse being perfectly gentle un-
der his double burden.

However, accidents did sometimes take place. One is relat-
ed which happened to a young lady of De Ruyter, who, with
her companion, was riding home from a party held in the vicin-
ity of Sheds Corners. During the evening a heavy shower had
fallen, and, as the party started, our fair equestrian, clad in
white, even to the dainty white kid shoe, gathered up her muslin
dress, and enveloped in a protecting cloak, took her seat upon
the horse at the back of her escort. All went well, and a pleas-
ant chat they were having, when ascending the steep hill south of
Sheds Corners, by the quick movement of the horse as he
sprang up an unusually steep ridge, her grasp was suddenly loos-
ened, and the dignity of the damsel received' a mortifying
humiliation as she alighted in the mud, while her kids and snowy
muslin were rendered quite unpresentable. Her considerate
companion reassuringly assisted her to her place again, yet her
great embarrassment found no relief until she bade him "good
night," and closed her father's door as he rode away.

An instance of the intractibility of a horse on a similar occa-
sion is also related. This party was also held in the same
neighborhood. At its conclusion, when nearly all the company
had mounted their horses, each beau with his respective partner

262 MADISON COUNTY.

seated at the back of his saddle, it was found that one horse re-
fused to submit to the burden. Repeated efforts were made, but
each time the young lady took her seat the disobedient animal
unseated her. Two young men then mounted the horse, and
after a short time in training he apparently yielded to the ar-
rangement. Our persevering heroine again sprang to her place,
when the mad animal, with heels flying in the air, once more un-
ceremoniously compelled her to alight. It was evidently unwise
to further attempt this course, and at last the young man found
it was necessary to lead his horse the whole distance home, a
mile and a half, that his fair partner might ride in the saddle.

Incidents like the foregoing furnish material for many a hearty
laugh at their own expense, by the survivors of those sportive
scenes ; and not only do these find pleasure in such recitals, so
also does the veteran schoolmaster delight in recounting the
pleasures of " boarding round ;" of the abundant luxuries and
merry makings at each new home he found, in his revolution
around the district ; of the days when teachers' wages were $8 a
month in winter, and six shillings a week in summer. It is re-
lated that a gentleman well known in public circles, thirty-
five years ago taught a summer school in this town for $i a week.
He was a competent and highly esteemed teacher, and the price
he received was greater than had been previously paid. Com-
mon schools in the past seem to have furnished education almost
without money or price, nevertheless the schools of DeRuyter
have been her glory and her strength. They have nurtured and
sent forth into the world a class of distinguished and highly en-
dowed spirits.

But very much of the credit for this, must of course be
awarded to the teachers employed, wlio were often very
fortunately selected. Among these was David Mayne, Esq.,,
who taught many years in De Ruyter, and was regarded by
all heads of families as tJie teacher best qualified to train
the youth. He taught several consecutive seasons in the
Burdick disttict, and was sought as teacher in all sections
of the town. He was loved and respected by his pupils
everywhere ; from him they received instruction in morals
and reUgion as well as in learning ; to him a large
number of De Ruyter's citizens, once his pupils, are in-
debted for a correct formation of character. Our public
men whom this town has sent forth, who have made them-
selves honored abroad and have adorned the positions they

DE RUYTER. 263

occupied, are largely indebted to David Mayne for the
elements of their education and the founding of right prin-'
ciples and noble manhood. Among those who were his
pupils, we mention Gen. Zadock T. Bentley, attorney and
counselor at law ; Paul Chase, well known as a long time
teacher and rare scholar ; Dr. Phineas H. Burdick, A. V.
Bentley, Esq., J. B. Wells, Esq., Hon. John F. Benjamin,
M. C. from Missouri ; Albert G. Burdick, Esq., Sanford M.
Green, an eminent lawyer and recently one of the Judges
of the Supreme Court of the State of Michigan ; the late
Joel Burdick, Esq., Hon. James W. Nye, U. S. Senator
from Nevada, and the late Hon. Henry C. Goodwin, M. C.
from this Congressional District, and formerly District At-
torney for Madison County.

DE RUYTER VILLAGE,

Up to 1830, DeRuyter was a quiet country village ; the
travel of the turnpike and the business of the hotels consti-
tuted the chief activity of the place. The hotel of Eli Spear
had been purchased by Thomas C. Nye, was remodeled and
added to, and under the name of the Mansion House, was
considerably patronized Mr. Nye connected stage running
and mail transportation with his hotel keeping, and al-
together transacted quite an extensive business. There
was also at this period one store, kept by Col. E. D. Jencks,
a postoffice, a tannery, and the carding and clothing works
of Benjamin Mitchell, — built in 18 14, by Joseph Mitchell
and Job Webb, — which was located near the northeast cor-
ner of the corporation.* There was a large society of
Friends who had their meeting house «at Quaker Basin ;
also a large society of Seventh Day Baptists who held their
meetings in the school house, and also a society of First
Day Baptists. A Methodist class had been formed at this
time also, which held its meetings in the school house.
Only one school then existed in the village, which was a

"'*'Nov/ (1870,) converted into the tannery on that location.

264 MADISON COUNTY.

large one. There had been a flourishing Lodge of Free
Masons, which had, however, suspended its workings dur-
ing the excitement attending the " Morgan affair," so-called.

About 1832, the business of the village became more ac-
tive. Live business men were the men of influence in pub-
lic affairs. At this time there was a prospect that the pro-
posed canal from Utica to Binghamton might pass through
here ; at least surveys were made to ascertain if this was
the most feasible route. Mason Wilbur and George Hull
were sent to Albany as lobby members, to advocate its
passage through this town. The result of the surveys, how-
ever, decided in favor of the Chenango route.

The proposed railroad of that day, from Chittenango to
Cazenovia, was to have been extended to DeRuyter. In
the winter of 1832, the first railroad meeting ever held in this
part of Madison County, cr in contiguous parts of Onon-
daga, Cortland and Chenango, convened at the public house
of T. C. Nye.* The death of Judge Yates in 1836, at the
commencement of operations for building this road, sus-
pended matters, and virtually caused the company to aban-
don the project and disband their organization.

From 1832, for a term of years the spirit of enterprise
prevailed ; it was an era of building. Abijah Annas built
a large number of fine residences in various sections of the
village ; the Gardners built their wagon shop and elegant
dwellings; Mitchell's Carding and clothing works were
turned into a tannery ; the farm of Oliver Mitchell was cut

*The DeRuyter New Era of April, 1871, speaks further of this railroad meeting
in 1832, as follows :

" It was largely represented by prominent men who favored the project, among
whom were Judge Yates, before mentioned. Gen. J. D. Ledyard of Cazenovia, the
Hon. Wm. K. Fuller, member of Congress from this district, John Fairchild, ed-
itor of the Cazenovia Monitor, the late James Nye, Elias P. Benjamin, Benjamin
Enos, Z. T. Bentley, Bradley Merchant and Stephen G. Sears, Esqs, of this village,
all now deceased, and Col. Jencks, who yet survives; also Dr. Miller of Truxton,
Luther Bowen and Mr. Tyler of Otseic, Mr. Avery of Chenango, and we believe,
Mr. Whitney of Broome County, togctiier with divers others whose names we can-
not, after the lapse of thirty-nine years, recall. The meeting was ably and eloquent-
ly addressed by Judge Fuller, Gen. Ledyard, Judge Niies, Dr. Miller and others, all
ardent and enthusiastic in support of the measure."

DE RUYTER. 265

up into building lots, and in all parts, the village grew,
lengthened and widened. In 1833 it was incorporated. In

1834, the Seventh Day Baptist Church was built, and ope-
rations for the erection of DeRuyter Institute, under the
patronage of that denomination, were in progress. Through
the untiring zeal of its chief projector, Elder Alexander
Campbell, and his effective corps of helpers, who constituted
the " building committee," the Institute was completed in
1837. In 1835, tl'is DeRuyter Union Church was erected,
and somewhere about this time A. N. Annas put up a block
of stores, opposite the brick store, which was burned
about ten years since (1870). Meanwhile the vicinity of
the Institute and S. D. Church, became rapidly occupied
with dwellings belonging to the people connected with those
institutions. The " DeRuyter Herald " was published in

1835, by C. W. Mason, and in 1836, the "Protestant Senti-
nel " was issued, which continued to be published for seve-
ral years with various changes of name. For twelve or fif-
teen years, artisans, mechanics and merchants flourished.
There was at one time eleven dry goods stores in this vil-
lage. At the date of its incorporation its population was 600.

Since 1840, business establishments have been started in
the village, that have failed. A foundry was built and in
operation for several years ; a stock company put up a
farming tool factory on an extensive plan, and a steam saw
mill, both of which after a time failed, and a few years since
the buildings took fire and burned down.

The grist mill now (1870,) owned by Mr. Hill, has been
built since 1840. Also the Page Hotel has been extensively
rebuilt by Abijah Annas, at a cost of ^9,000, and for years,
as the " Annas House," it was widely known as a first-class
hotel. Mr. Annas sold ; and now, as the " Tabor House,"
it retains its former reputation. The Mansion House has
been cut up into several shcps, where various trades are
prosecuted. The bank of E. B. Parsons & Co. has been re-
cently established.

266 MADISON COUNTY.

A new era has dawned upon the history of DeRuyter,
with the advent of railroads ; the Midland passes through
it on its way from Norwich to Auburn, and the exten-
sion of the Canastota and Cazenovia to Homer, crosses
the Midland in this village. The history of these enter-
prises, together with others of a late date, and the movements
of this people in the great national struggle with a gigantic
rebellion, (the records of which, we trust, are ample and
well preserved,) we leave to the future historian.

SEVENTH DAY BAPTIST INSTITUTE.

The prime mover and pioneer in the enterprise of open-
ing a denominational school at De Ruyter village, was
Elder Alexander Campbell, now residing at Verona, Oneida
County, N. Y. A meeting was held, pursuant to his call,
sometime in the autumn of 1834, to take into consideration
the matter of establishing in this place a literary institution,
to be under the direction of the Seventh Day Baptist de-
nomination. At this meeting. Elder Campbell was appoint-
ed to circulate a subscription among the churches of this
denomination, for that purpose. The result was, $13,937
was obtained.*

In the summer or autumn of 1835, a building committee
was chosen to erect suitable buildings. LeBaron Goodwin,
(father of the late Hon. H. C. Goodwin,) Henry Crandall,
Elmer D. Jencks and Matthew Wells, jr., were members of
this committee. The Legislature of 1836, passed an act of
incorporation, appointing as trustees the following gentle-
men : — Henry Crandall, LeBaron Goodwin, Ira Spencer,
Elmer D. Jencks, James Nye, Alexander Campbell, Joel
Greene, Martin Wilcox, Eli S. Bailey, Adin Burdick, Mat-
thew Wells, jr., Perry Burdick.

In the spring of 1837, the building was so far completed,
that a school was opened under the charge of Solomon
Carpenter, from Rensselaer County, as Principal, and Miss
Sarah A. Robinson, from the Troy Female Seminary, as

* The citizens of DeRuyter contributed liberally.

DE RUYTER. 267

Preceptress; but the institute proper was not opened until
September, 1837, at which time Eber M. Rollo, A. M., a
graduate from WilHamstown College, Massachusetts, was
Principal, and Miss Robinson, above named, continued
as Preceptress. For a few years the school was extensively
patronized by the churches of the S, D. B. denomination,
located in various counties in the States of New Jersey and
Rhode Island, and in the counties of Rensselaer, Jefferson,
Oneida, Allegany, Cortland, Chenango and Madison, in this
State. But soon academic schools were started at Alfred,
N. Y., Shiloh, N. J., and Hopkinton, R. I., which resulted
in a withdrawal of foreign patronage, and consequently
more or less pecuniary embarrassment followed. It has,
nevertheless, with many changes, continued in operation to
the present time, it being now (1870,) prosperous under the
care of L. E. Livermore, A. M., Principal. The original cost
of the buildings and grounds of the institution was about
^22,000.

MASONIC.

About 1 8 16, the first Masonic Lodge was instituted at
DeRuyter. It continued through a long number of years,
and was a means of forming and perpetuating" friendly ties,
and of promoting social feelings among its members,
early residents of the town and vicinity. It included many
leading men of the day, among whom were the Hon.
Benj. Enos, James Nye, Esq., Samuel Thompson, Jona-
than Shedd and Elias P. Benjamin, Esq., Col. E. D. Jencks,
Capt. Jeremiah Gage, Reuben Doane, Jonathan Brainard,
John Hewitt, Nathan B. Wilbur, Capt. Epaphras Leet,
and many others. In the excitement which swept over the
country upon the abduction and murder of Wm. Morgan,
in 1827, the lodge suspended its working operations, which
were never thereafter resumed. Its hall, or place of meet-
ing, was situated in the long double frame, ancient building
on the south side of Albany street, near the east bridge,
owned for many years by Job Webb.

268 MADISON COUNTY.

Among those who constituted the lodge, if we except
Capt. Leet, who does not now reside in DeRuyter, Col.
Jencks is the sole- survivor in the town.

In 1872, the DeRuyter Lodge F. & A. M., No. 692, was
formed, and continues a successful organization.

SKETCHES OF DE RUYTER CITIZENS.

Dr. Ira Spencer is a prominent citizen of DeRuyter,
whose long residence in this town, and extensive prac-
tice here and in the region round about, have identified him
with the history of the place for a great number of years.
On the completion of his medical studies, while yet a young
man, he settled in DeRuyter, in 1830, and in connection
with the late Dr. Nathan Collins, entered at once into a
successful and extensive practice. In 1835, ^^- Collins
having emigrated west, and the labors of the profession in-
creasing. Dr. Spencer formed a co-partnership with Dr.
James Whitiord, which continued for some years. Upon
its dissolution in 1838, these two gentlemen thenceforward
became active competitors, and took a leading position
among the members of the medical fraternity in this section
of the country; Dr. Spencer has continued in an unbroken
career of practice, often laborious and responsible, now over
forty years, extending into the counties of Madison, Onon-
daga, Cortland and Chenango, in which he has frequently
been called by his medical brethren, on account of his skill
and experience, to important consultations in difficult and
doubtful cases in practice. He is a self-made man. During
these long and eventful years, he has accumulated a fine
property, and raised a respected family to competency, and
an honorable social standing in the community. He ac-
quired his profession, unaided by others, alternately pursu-
ing his studies, and teaching in winters as a means of pecu-
niary assistance, and commenced practice with nothing
but his abilities, native and acquired, together with that sort
of determination and perseverance which seldom fail to in-
sure success. At the age of sixty-six, (May, 1871,) al-

DE RUYTER. 269

though his hair is white with the frosts of many years, he
still enjoys a good degree of physical health, and continues
in active business habits, the oldest physician in DeRuyter.

Dr. James Whitford, another long resident physician in
DeRuyter, came to the place in 1835, a young man of mod-
est and unassuming demeanor, and entered into practice with
Dr. Spencer, then already here, vv'hich relation continued for
a few years, and on their business interests becoming sepa-
rate, continued in an honorable and successful practice for
thirty years. He married Miss Mary Gage, eldest daughter
of Arza Gage, Esq., purchased the dwelling-house built and
formerly owned by Benj. R. Mitchell, on Utica street, and
reared and educated a family which held rank in the
social scale among the first in the community. Dr. Whit-
ford. like Dr. Spencer, acquired, by hard work and perse-
verance, a handsome property as a reward of diligence and
professional ability. He took a deep interest in the military
discipline and education of the citizen soldiery, and was for
many years Colonel and Commandant of the 42d Regiment,
19th Brigade of the Militia of the State. On the close of
the war in 1866, he resigned his commission. His health
having become somewhat impaired, in the spring of 1869,
he removed, together with his family, to a more genial and
healthful climate, where the rigors of winter are less severe-
ly felt — to a beautiful location in Onondaga Valley, near the
city of Syracuse, where he now resides.

Dr. S. S. Clarke comes next among the physicians of this
town. He studied with Dr. Spencer, received his diploma
about twenty years ago, and commenced practice at De-
Ruyter, where he still resides. He, too, has acquired a fair
property, and is establishing, by dint of hard work and dili-
gent attention to business, a reputable standing in the pro-
fession. But as a sketch of him here would be more imme-
diately identified with the current events of the present
time, rather than the past history of an early day, we leave
his present and prospective career to the pen of the future
historian.

270 MADISON COUNTY.

The Legal Fraternity of DeRiiyter has included several
men of consideiable note, and some of them of fine talents.
Abraham Payne was the first lawyer that ever settled in
DeRuyter. It was about the year 1823. He erected a
fine dwelling-house on Utica street, which is now the resi-
dence of Mr. Allen Sutton, leather manufacturer and shoe
dealer, and opened an office on what is now (1871,) the site
of the DeRuyter Bank. Mr. Payne was a young man of
■liberal education, well read in law, and for a few years did
a good business without any local competitors. But his
native diffidence was such, that it was said by Dr. Hubbard
Smith, the justice before whom he had frequent occasion to
appear in the trial of suits, that h^ lacked the cheek neces-
sary to a modern lawyer. Mr. Payne was a gentleman
liighl}' esteemed. After some years he removed to Seneca
P'^alls, abandoned the practice of law, and embarked 'exten-
sively in the milling business, in which he became quite
wealthy, but subsequently lost his property by some un-
lucky turn in the wheel of fortune. We believe he after-
wards removed to Ohio, and has been some years de-
ceased.

Martin P. Sweet was the next lawyer in this town. He
opened an office about the year 1830, in connection with
Lorenzo Sherwood, a young man of fine abilities, from
Hoosick, Rensselaer County, N. Y., who here finished with
him his course of study. Mr. Sweet was a self-made man.
He possessed splendid oratorical powers, and was noted
for much eccentricity of character. Before a jury, or in
public debate, his flights of oratory were often brilliant, and
rarely excelled. He removed west and died since the close
of the war, somewhere in the State of Illinois.

Zadock T. Bentley, afterwards known as Gen. Bentley,
succeeded Mr, Sweet in the practice of law at De Ruyter,
and formed a partnership with Geo. W, Stone, a young man
of great promise, and fine intellectual endowments ; and sub-
sequently thereto, the law firm of Stone & Bentley on the

DE RUYTER. 2/1

one side, and Lorenzo & Luman Sherwood on the other,
constituted the legal force of DeRuyter, till 1840, when Mr.
Stone died, and Luman Sherwood removed to Cayuga
County, and his brother, Lorenzo Sherwood, in connection
with James W. Nye, (now Senator Nye,) went to Hamilton,
where they opened an office in that town. Gen. Z. T.
Bentley was a native of Washington County, N. Y., and
removed to DeRuyter with his father, when a child ; with
the help of his boys, Mr. Bentley cleared up his farm, and
gave them such advantages as the place afforded. Young
Bentley chose the profession of the law, and entered the
office of Hon. Alonzo G. Hammond of Rensselaer County,
studying during the summers, and teaching during the win-
ters. He finished his studies with Judge Darwin Smith, at
Rochester. He was admitted to the bar in 1833, and im-
mediately opened an office in DeRuyter, and continued
practice till 1843, when he was elected County Clerk. In
1850 he was appointed Brigadier-General of the 19th Bri-
gade N. Y. S. Militia. He performed a great deal of liter-
ary work for the State Militia Association. During the late
war, his voice was often heard maintaining the government
in putting down the rebellion. Z. T. Bentley was a lawyer of
superior attainments, well read, and an advocate of much
ability. His death from paralysis, at his residence in Onei-
da, in July, 1870, though sudden, Was not wholly unlooked
for by friends.

At a little later date, A. V. Bentley, then a young man,
who had pursued the study of law in the office of his
brother, Z. T. Bentley, was admitted to the bar, in 1842, at
the July term of the old Supreme Court, in Utica, the Hon.
Samuel Nelson, Chief Justice, presiding, with Esek Cowan
and Greene C. Bronson, Associate Judges. A. V. Bentley
opened an office separate from that of his brother, and
thenceforward for several years they were pitted against
each other professionally. Their competition, whilst hon-
orable and friendly, was nevertheless exceedingly animated.

272 MADISON COUNTY.

and the trial of their causes was contested inch by inch
between these two brothers, with the greatest spirit and
earnestness. The Bentleys continued practice until on the
election of Z. T. Bentley to the office of County Clerk, when
he removed to Morrisville, leaving A. V. Bentley sole master
of the field. About this time, two young men, scarcely
emerged from boyhood, David J. Mitchell and Henry C.
Goodwin, both DeRuyter boys, entered the office of A. V.
Bentley, and for four years pursued a regular course of
reading and clerkship at law therein. During this time
the practice of the law, particularly the trial of causes in
Justice's Court, at DeRuyter and in the adjacent sections
of Onondaga, Cortland and Chenango counties, to which
their field extended, afforded opportunity for the exhibition
of rare legal talents and acumen, and did much towards
laying the foundation on which the subsequent eminence
and success of those young practitioners were built. On
their admission to the bar, they opened an office in Ham-
ilton, and under the copartnership name of Goodwin &
Mitchell, rapidly won their way to distinction. A^out this
time, A. V. Bentley, Esq., whose health had become im-
paired through the effects of an early infirmity, was elected
a Justice of the Peace, an office to which the people of De-
Ruyter elected him term after term for twenty-five years.
Mr. Bentley was regarded as a good lawyer and safe coun-
selor. His office practice has been extensive, covering a
period of more than a quarter of a century. In that de-
partment especially, and as a magistrate, he has done a
vast amount of conveyancing relating to real estate. But
a few title deeds, contracts, or securities relating to real
estate, made, executed, or acknowledged within that time,
at DeRuyter and the adjoining towns of Georgetov/n, Cuy-
ler and Lincklaen, can be found, which are not in the hand-
writing, or do not bear the signature of Mr. Bentley, which
are as well known there as he is personally. His legal
advice has been much sought by parties, because he has

DE RUYTER. 273

been in the habit of bestowing it disinterestedly, and much
of the time gratuitously, and because of his always coun-
seling peace, and the adjustment of difficulties without a
resource to law.

About the time that Goodwin & Mitchell went to Hamil-
ton, A. Scott Sloan and H. C. Miner, opened an office at
De Ruyter, under the name of Miner & Sloan, having their
office in the Annas block. Mr. Sloan was considered a
good lawyer, and H. C. Miner was a thorough business
man, possessed of great executive force and energy, and was
capable of enduring physically a large amount of hard
work, qualities which were brought to bear in their prac-
tice. For several years thereafter they did a large business ;
and on the removal of Mr. Sloan to the State of Wisconsin,
Mr. Miner continued to practice. It was in the office of
Miner & Sloan that D. Q. Mitchell, Esq., now also a practic-
ing lawyer at De Ruyter, and a brother of D. J. Mitchell,
prosecuted the study of law, and was soon afterwards admitted
to the bar. He thereupon opened an office at De Ruyter
and entered practice, in the meantime holding the office of
Supervisor of the town for two terms, and discharging, at a
later date, the duties of Commissioner of the Board of
Enrollment for this Congressional District, during the
rebellion, to which office he had been appointed. The
duties of that post were very arduous and responsible, and
Mr. Mitchell acquitted himself with credit and satisfaction
to the public.

About the same time L. B. Kern, Esq., removed from
Morrisville to De Ruyter, and formed a connection in
partnership with Mr. Miner, and under the firm name of
Miner & Kern, forthwith commenced an extensive practice.
Mr. Kern is the only lawyer from De Ruyter, who has been
honored, whilst a resident thereof, with the office of
District Attorney. The firm of Miner & Kern has
been recently dissolved, and these men have now separate
offices in De Ruyter, each doing a large amount of business.

2/4 MADISON COUNTY,

Among the citizens of De Ruyter, A. N. Annas deserves
especial mention. He has long been one of the most
efficient business men of the town. He came to DeRuyter
in 1834, or thereabouts, opened a stove and tin shop, and
has wrought out for himself a handsome fortune with his
own hands. Whilst in the mercantile business he was one
of the firm of Elmore, Annas & Ayer, who erected in 1841
the stone stores, known as the Lafayette block, on Cort-
land Street, the finest block of buildings ever in DeRuyter,
and which was burned a few years ago. He also built
the public house known for many years as the "Annas
House," now the "Tabor House," and has erected more
dwelling houses and buildings of various kinds, and done
more for the external improvement of the place than any
other man. He is a man of excellent practical judgment,,
and has been repeatedly honored by his townsmen with
the office of Supervisor and other positions of public trust,
the duties of which he ever discharged with fidelity and
success.

Col. Elmer D. Jencks, was born in the town of Lenox,
Mass., in the year 1791. In 1796, with his parents, he
removed to the town of Smyrna, Chenango County, where
they lived till 1809, when he came to the town of De-
Ruyter, being then eighteen years of age. Mr. Jencks
belonged to the militia during the war of 1812 to 181 5,
and in 18 14 received promotion. From the office of
Sergeant, he passed through the several grades up to that
of Colonel of the regiment, which last promotion he
received in 1827, by which title he has since that time
been known. The same year he received the commission
of Postmaster which he held several years.

For the first thirty years of this century, cattle buying
and drover business was a source of great profit to the
country. In this Col. Jencks was extensively engaged.
Such men as Gen. Erastus Cleaveland, Maj. Samuel Fore-

DE RUYTER.

275

man and Maj. Ellis Morse, were his colleagues in this
department, and they frequently met and traveled together,
conferred with each other, and in many ways increased the
interests of the trade throughout the county, thereby en-
riching the coffers of our farmers. Col. Jencks was widely
known. Such has been his integrity all through life, that
all men honored him with their confidence ; such his
public spirit, that local enterprise desired his sanction to
receive the sanction of the mass. Although not religious,
he was a supporter of religious societies, and although not
a political man, his opinions on political matters shaped
those of others. Prudent, clear-headed, self-reliant and
enterprising, with integrity for his guide, is the summing
up of the character of one of De Ruyter's pioneers, Col.
Elmer D. Jencks.

Mr. Jencks lost his first wife in 1824, and was again married
in 183 1, to Mrs. Matilda Wallace, who with him still lives
in DeRuyter village. His son Elmer D. Jencks, jr., resides
one mile south of the village. Col. Jencks is still hale
and hearty, at the advanced age of 83 years.

We find the name of Hon. Warren Merchant as another
among the principal men of this town. He has served with
ability in many positions in town. County and State. Mr.
Merchant, while Supervisor, lent his own private credit to
meet the wants of the town in raising funds for enlisted
men, and in raising bounties and otherwise aiding soldiers.
He was a warm friend and advocate of the Midland Rail-
road, being a member of its first Board of Directors.

Among others of DeRuyter's native born citizens, whose
talents and positions in the arena of public life have given
credit to the influences and early training of their native
town, and consequent pride to this, their foster-mother,
may be named Darwin E. Smith, one of the Judges
of the Supreme Court of the State of New York, a

2/6 MADISON COUNTY,

son of Dr. Hubbard Smith, the pioneer physician of De-
Ruyter, and who was himself one of the Associate Judges
of Madison County for a time ; Hon. John F. Benjamin,
Member of Congress from Missouri, of the pioneer Benja-
min family of DeRuyter ; Hon. James W. Nye, U. S. Sen-
ator from Nevada, son of James Nye, the pioneer, also born
in DeRuyter, and Ezra Cornell, founder of the Cornell Uni-
versity at Ithaca, whose boyhood was spent in DeRuyter,
where, amid poverty and labor he learned the principles of
true greatness, and gathered wisdom and strength for a life
of usefulness to his fellowmen.

The subjoined obituary of Hon. Benjamin Enos is alto-
gether too brief a notice of one of DeRuytcr's first men in
the days past. We are compelled, however, to offer only
this, it being all the data we have at hand.

" Obituary. — Hon. Benjamin Enos died at his residence in De-
Ruyter on Tuesday evening, Feb. 4lh, 1868. He was born in
Riclnnond, Washington County, R. I., Feb. 13, 1788, making
his age eighty years, lacking nine days. Mr. Enos has been a
resident of DeRuyter for many years, and was one of the most
active politicians of the Democratic party until incapacitated
from age and infirmity from taking part in the active duties of
life. He filled several town offices, and was member of Assem-
bly from Madison County in 1834, 1839 and 1840 ; Canal Com-
missioner from Feb. 8, 1842, to Jan. i, 1845, and State Treas-
urer from Feb. 18, 1845, to Feb., 1846 — all of which offices he
filled with credit to himself and to the satisfaction of his con-
stituents. For several years past Mr. Enos has been nearly
crippled by disease, and has suffered a good deal of pain. He
has resided with his son-in-law, Charles H. Maxson, Esq., for
many years, where he found not only a comfortable home, but
the kind hands of affection to soothe and comfort his declining
years."

CHURCHES.

The Seventh Day Baptist Church of DeRuyter, was or-
ganized in 1 8 16. John Green, licensed to preach by this
society, was the first pastor in 18 18. The S. D. B. Church
of Lincklaen was formed from this. The edifice was erect-
ed in 1834, at a cost of about $2,200.

DE RUYTER,

277

The Presbyterian Church of DeRuyter village, was organ-
ized about 1830. First settled pastor, Rev. Mr. Adams.
Their house of worship was built in 1835, by the " DeRuy-
ter Religious Society," composed of Presbyterians, Univer-
salists and Methodists, and called the Union Meeting
House.

TJie Methodist Church. A class was formed about 1830
in DeRuyter village, holding meetings first in the school
house and afterwards in the Union Meeting House.- Rev.
Orrin Torry, pastor in 1861, carried forward the project of
building a church, and in 1863 it was completed.

TJie Society of Friends commenced their meetings about
1804, holding them in the school house in the village.
They built their meeting house at the "Basin" in 18 16, in
which ancient building they still continue to hold their
meetings.

The Baptist Church of DeRuyter village was first formed
in 1797. In 1816, the society was revived. About 1820
the first church was built. They have again built on a
large and improved plan.

The Methodist Society has a church at Sheds Corners,
and -BiUniversalist Church is also located there.

NEWSPAPERS OF DE RUYTER.

TJie DeRuytef Herald was published in 1835, by C. W.
Mason.

The Protestant Sentinel was moved from Schenectady to
DeRuyter in Nov., 1836. It was published by J. & C. H.
Maxon until the fall of 1837. It then passed into the
hands of Wm. D. Cochrane, by whom it was issued as

TJie Protestant Sentinel and Seventh Day Baptist Journal.
In February, 1840, Joel Greene became its publisher, and
changed it to the

Seventh Day Baptist Register. In 1841, it passed into the
hands of James Bailey, by whom it was continued until 1845.

The National Banner was commenced at DeRuyter in
October, 1847, by A. C. Hill, and continued two years.

2/8 MADISON COUNTY.

The Central New Yorker was published at DeRuyter by
E. F. & C. B. Gould, from September, 1848, to May, 185 1.

The Banner of the Times was started in DeRuyter by
Walker & Hill, and continued until 1855.

The DeRuyter Weekly News ^a.s established in 1862, by
J. E. N. Backus, and was discontinued in 1864.

The Sabbath School Gem, monthly, was published in i ^6})
and '64, by J. E. N. Backus.

The DeRuyter New Era was commenced Sept. 29th,
1870, John R. Beden publisher, by whom it is still con-
tinued.

EATON. 279

CHAPTER VI

EATON.

Boundaries. — Face of the Country. — Lakes and Streams. —
Township No. 2. — Incidents in the first Settlement. — Sketches
of the Pioneer Families. — Indians. — Mills, Roads and
other Improvements. — Log City, now Eaton. — First Houses,
Tavern, Manufactures. — Incidents. — Masonic Lodge. — Mor-
risville. — The Village before 18 17. — Location of the County
Seat. — Enterprises. — Bennett Bicknell. — Sketches of other
Prominent Men. — Leeville, now West Eaton. — This Village
before 1840. — Manufactures. — Enterprise and Progress. —
Alderbrook. — Fanny Forester. — Pierceville. — Pratts Hollow ;
its Manufactures. — Churches. — Newspapers.

The tow^n of Eaton is situated near the center of the
County. It is bounded north by Smithfield and Stock-
bridge, east by Madison, south by Lebanon, and west by
Nelson.

The explorers of this town found it to be a goodly land,
lying fairly to the sun, rich in its soil, and in every way a
desirable location. The rolling upland rises higher to the
northward, where the water-shed, the upheaval of some
long ago convulsion, passes across in an easterly and west-
erly direction. Along the length of this elevation, at many
points in Madison County, arise fountains closely approxi-
mating each other, whose waters diverging, eventually lose
themselves, the one through the southern channels in the
Chesepeake Bay, the other mingling with the waters of the
Gulf of St. Lawrence. In one locality, from opposite eaves
of buildings, the showers descending find northern and

280 MADISON COUNTY.

southern courses to the ocean ; and at another point where
two springs arise, a person standing between might, cast in
each a divided cup of ^yater, the atoms of which would
reach the Atlantic, a distance of at least ten geographical
degrees apart. The valley of the Chenango river, which
passes through the center of the town, is one of the most
beautiful of the country, very fertile, and some of the finest
farms are here spread out. That the wealth of the hill-
sides has come down, by washing, in process of time, to
enrich the valley, is evident ; and though the farms of these
slopes are impoverished thereby, their thrifty and enterpris-
ing owners, do not suffer them to so remain. By good
husbandry the uplands are steadily increasing in produc-
tiveness.

The Chenango Canal traverses the east border of the
town. The Eaton Reservoir lies on the west border and
covers an area of 284 acres of land. Its elevation above
the Canal is 60 feet. From this reservoir flows Eaton
brook, (or "Alder brook " as the people chose to call it,)
through a deep and narrow valley, with considerable fall,
affording numerous valuable mill sites along its entire
route, a distance of about five miles to its junction with
the Chenango at Eaton village. Hatch's Lake is a charming
ratural body of water, situated near the southwest corner of
the town. It was once the head waters of one branch of the
Otselic, its outlet being at the west end, near the house of
Harrison Hatch ; but on the construction of the Chenango
Canal in 1836, that outlet was closed, and its waters directed
through Bradley Brook Reservoir to the canal. The lake
covers an area of 136 acres. Having no inlet it is sustained
by springs in its bed, some of which are doubtless impreg-
nated with strong mineral properties. As an evidence of
this, in the winter of 1843 and '44, the water assumed a
reddish hue, caused probably by a greater flow than usual
of coloring matter from the springs. The report went out^
at the time that " Hatch's lake had turned to blood 1'

EATON. 261

Occurring so soon after the period of time arrived at by
the ."Miller theory," for the final consummation of all
things, it created no little excitement among the supersti-
tiously inclined, and thousands went to see it. A short
distance east of the lake, on the south border of the town,
is Bradley Brook Reservoir, constructed also in 1835 and '36,
covering an area of 134 acres. Both of these bodies of
water are well stored with fish and are favorite points of
resort in the fishing season.

From the northwest corner of the town, flows the
Chenango, which, before reaching the valley bed, affords
several mill sites. Leland's Ponds and Woodman's Lake,
lie in picturesque locations at the divergance of the Oris-
kany and Chenango valleys, and are the hqad waters of one
of the Chenango branches. They have been converted
into feeders for the canal. Leland's Ponds, which are
respectively the " upper" and the "middle" lakes, cover
together an area of 176 acres, the upper being 40 feet deep,
the other 50 feet. Woodman's Lake, being the lower or
most southern of the three, covers 148 acres. When the
country was sparsely settled and dams for mills had not
yet obstructed the river, an ocean fish called "alewives,"
used to come up to these ponds in schools, and furnished
much enjoyment in fishing as well as in good eating.

Leland's Ponds and Woodman's Lake anciently belonged
to the fisheries of the Oneidas, when their home and village
was but a short distance away. According to the tradition
given by David Cusick, the Tuscarora historian, which
reaches back more than 300 years, when the " Holder of
the Heavens " planted the different families of the Six Na-
tions, he led the Oneidas to the head of a creek, which was
a branch of the Susquehanna, having its head in a lake
which he called " Col. Allen's Lake." This cj-eek was called
" Kaw-na-taw-ta-ruh, i. e. Pine Woods." This family was
directed to take up their residence near that creek, and they
were named " Ne-haw-ve-tah-go, i. e. Big Tree," (Oneidas.)

282 MADISON COUNTY.

The inference is readily drawn, that the vicinity of Pine
Woods and the lakes, was the home assigned them in the
tradition, temporary though it may have been ; for the
wonderful charmed stone in resting upon the hights of
Stockbridge, bade them build their village within the circle
of its influence. And yet this place was all their home.
Their trail to the Susquehanna passed these lakes, and there
were many nooks and well-trodden paths around their
shores, which were as familiar to the Indian as the sight of
his own cabin. At a late period, one of the most notorious
of their fast decaying race, Abram Antone, made this place
his rendezvous. He sometimes dwelt here for months in
succession, living in a wigwam he built near by, and for
years he spent nrost of his time around these lakes, quietly
or moodily fishing, or stealthily pursuing game among the
tangled foliage, sloping back from their wooded shores.

From its elevation and the peculiar situation of hills and
valleys, Eaton furnishes more basins to retain supplies of
water for the canal than any other town along its route ;
and we may further add, that Madison County furnishes,
with but one exception, (Skaneateles Lake,) the entire sup-
ply from the south for the long level of the Erie Canal.

The soil upon the hills is a clayey and gravelly loam,
best adapted to pasturage ; and in the valleys a gravelly
loam and alluvium. Occasionally beds of blue clay are
found. In the south part of the town are many quarries
of slate stone, which are largely made use of for road pur-
poses. By being merely thrown upon the traveled path, or
with but little preparation beyond leveling, the action of
rains and the friction of vehicles, soon converts this stone
into a smooth, hard, dry road bed. Limestone boulders are
found upon and near the surface in many places. Thirty
years ago and more, these were collected and burned into
lime. Mineral springs also are found in this vicinity. One
sulphur spring is situated in the meadow south of the
Pierceville factory, on the premises of the Company ; and

EATON. 283

another, of considerable strength, bubbles up from its bed in
adiminutive swamp, on the premises of Amos Hammond, in
Pierceville, not far distant from the other. When this sec-
tion was a forest, herds of deer resorted to these springs,
having a fondness for sulphur water, equal, it was said, to
their fondness for salt water ; hence the earliest settlers
called this resort " the deer lick."

Township No. 2, of "Chenango. Twenty Towns," was
originally set off in the town of Hamilton, from which it
was taken in 1807, and named in honor of Gen. Wm. Eaton,
commander of the United States forces at Tripoli.

This township was included in the purchase of the Eng-
lish Company acting for Sir Wm. Pultney. Charles Wil-
liamson was the principal agent in New York. William
Smith was constituted agent in the purchase of this, to-
gether with several other towns, hence it is recorded that
the Government grant for township No. 2, was patented
April 1 6th, 1794, William S. Smith, patentee. It is said
the Company paid about thirty cents per acre. The survey
gave the town 28,245 acres.

Subsequently William S. Smith resigned his agency in
favor of Robert Troup. In the arrangement thus effected,
there was reserved for Smith the tier of lots west of the
center, and having also considerable possessions in like man-
ner set off to him in the adjoining town, Lebanon, he es-
tablished his brother, Justus B. Smith, at Smith's Valley,
as agent ; hence in the name of the latter, transfers of these
lands were made.

The autumn of 1792 brought to the town of Eaton the
advance skirmishers of civilization, John and James Salis-
bury, from Vermont, in company with Bates and Stowell,
the pioneers of Lebanon, became the pioneers of this town,
in the matter of making the first clearing and opening the
way for the pioneer settler. They located on lot No. 94.
Their energy, persevcance and endut"ance, in pushing their
way through the wilderness, in subsisting on simple fare, and

2^4 MAPISOX COUNTV,

in accomplishing' the gnititying rosults of opening a line
clearing to the light of the sun before the winter set in, is
described in the story of the Lebanon pioneers, in the his-
torv of that town. The Salisbury brothers, however, went
awav for the winter and did not return to th^ir farm.

In 1793, Joshua Leland, and John H. and Benjamin
Morris, entered town and commenced settlement. Mr. Le-
land and John 11. Morris had been here the year before
and selected their location, and this year Mr. Leland re-
moved his family from Sherburne. Mass., his native place.
He built his house on Lot Xo. 94. near where Tha.xter
Dunbar's residence now stands. ]\Irs. Leland was the first
white woman who crossed the Chenango, and was for
several months the only white woman of this region. Her
husband frequently boasted of having the/(7inst w^oman in
town. As there were many comers and goers of people,
looking lands, INIr. Leland opened his house for the public
accommodation; hence, his was. in tact, the first tavern
kept in town. His house served a most useful purpose,
particularly as a stopping-place for the incoming families in
the early spring of the next year.

In 1795. Benjamin Morse, Daniel Alby. Simeon Gillett
and Levi Bonney, came in and settled in various localities.
Benjamin IMorse settled on the old Morse farm. Lot No. 91,
on the north side of the road leading to Hamilton. It was
a very pleasant location, a rich valley farm, and was near to
the Hamilton settlement. The first birth in town was that
of Sawen ^lorse, son of Benjamin and Deborah IMorse,
which occurred the first year of their residence here — 1795.
Mr. ]\Iorse and Joshua Leland purchased the south-east
quarter, and Benjamin Morris and Calvin Sanger the north-
east quarter of the town. This vear Mr. Leland moved to
his location at the small lakes. Daniel Alby settled on land
east of the Eaton hill, in the neighborhood of Mr. Morse.
His son, Silas Alby, now (1871,) owns the farm. Simoon
Gillett located on Lot No. 93, on the tiat east of the river. I\Ir.

EATON. 285

Gillclt died in the year 1796, his bein^ the first death which
occurred in town. His loss was deeply felt, as the new
settlers were strongly attached to each other. His family
remained here. One son, Squire Simeon Gillett, jr., lived
here many years. Levi Bonney located on the farm east
of ICaton depot, and resided there till he died, in 1855,
aged eighty years. His son owns the homestead yet.

Col. Leland (as he was always called,) built the first grist
mill of the town in 1795. It was situated at the foot of the
upper lake, or between " Leland's Lakes," as they were
de.signated at that day. He also built a saw mill at the
same place. To increase the water power of these mills it
became necessary to raise the dam. This caused an over-
flow of many ?dditional acres of the adjacent low, swampy
land, on which the water was so shallow as to produce an
impure atmosphere, seriously affecting the health of the
people now rapidly settling in. It was finally deemed a
wiser plan to forego the benefit of the mills, than suffer dis-
ease and death to devastate the vicinity. The neighbors
therefore purchased the mills, removed them, and drained
the pond basin, thus effecting a remedy for the evil and re-
covering much valuable land. The Colonel commenced
tavern keeping immediately on his removal to the lakes.
After the discontinuance of the mills, he built a pota.sh
manufactory on the north shore of the middle lake, from
which he received a considerable income for those days, it
being an article which brought cash in market. He followed
the business till bis death, in 18 10, which occurred by acci-
dent while on a journey to Albany with a load of salts. His
remains were brought home and buried in a small burial
ground on his own farm, where others also have been in-
terred, and where a few white slabs may be seen at this
day, in a quiet, lovely nook, by the charming lakes,

Joshua Leland was an original character, well calculated
to win his way and establish himself successfully in the new
country. Mrs. Leland was an excellent woman, possessing

286 MADISON COUNTY.

great energy and ambition, full of good humor, and not
wanting in tact. She was beloved by everybody — by the
Indians as well as by her white neighbors, — and was in all
respects adapted to pioneer life. She reared a large family
of children. In the naming of their sons, the Colonel illus-
trated a humorous and peculiar vein in his composition ; he
resolved that the vowels should constitute the initial letters
of their names, consequently six sons were honored as fol-
lows : — Amasa, E/ra, Isaac, Orrison, Uriah and Yale.
Having the seventh son, he was christened Joshua, after
himself. There were three daughters, whose names were
Phebe, Sylvia and Juliette. For years, several of this family
lived in town. Numbers of them have died, and at present
but one of the once large household is living here — Ezra,
who is the oldest surviving pioneer of the town of Eaton, he
being five years ot age when his father came into town.
His home is a mile and a half east of Morrisville. (Note^.)
In the year 1796, Joseph Morse, Samuel Sinclair, Lewis
Willson, Humphrey Palmer, and Dea. McCrellis came in.
Joseph Morse located at the foot of the hill on the right of
the road leading from Eaton to Hamilton, on the farm
known as the "Burchard farm," at present (1871,) owned by
Charles Payne. Here he built one of the first frame
houses of the neighborhood, a part of which is yet standing
on its original site. Its first clapboards were rived from logs,
and its timbers were all hewn even to the rafters. Near
this house ran the Indian trail from the Susquehanna to
Stockbridge, and the Indians were frequent guests of the
Morse family. Here he lived until 1802, when he removed
to the present location of the family homestead in Eaton
village.

Samuel Sinclair purchased the farm that Col. Leland
first took up, on lot No. 94. Here Sinclair kept tavern, as
his predecessor had done. As a landlord, Sinclair had his
own way of dealing with a certain class of customers who
were then quite frequent. These were wont to drive under

EATON, 287

Sinclair's open shed and feed their horses upon their own
hay and grain, which they had brought along, and sit by
his cozy fires to eat the lunch they carried in their own
wallets. As a consequence, Mr. Sinclair did not keep his
shed in good repair. One day a traveler of this class com-
plained of the uncomfortable shed and of the poor fire, and
had the impudence to do this when he had not expended
one penny for the benefit of the house, Sinclair very cooly
responded by saying, "Sir, you furnished your own feed for
your horse, and your own dinner ; the next time you come
this way I advise you to bring your own fires and horse-
shed !" Sinclair lived in this town many years, and was
widely known and popular as a landlord in this and other
towns. Lewis Wilson located in the vicinity of Eaton village.
The marriage of Lewis Wilson and Dorcas Gillett, which
took place in 1796, was the first marriage in town. Hum-
phrey Palmer located at the Center, making the first inroads
upon the wilderness in that section. His son, John Palmer,
who came with his father, remained on the homestead to
the close of his life in "1867. He was aged 90 years.

In 1797, came Rawson Harmon, Rufus Eldred, Cyrus
Finney, Thomas Morris, Dr. James Pratt, and soon after,
Benjamin Coman, William Mills, John Pratt, Lorin Pearse,
Caleb Dunbar, Isaac Sage, William Hopkins, Seth Snow,
Elijah Hayden, Daniel Hatch, David Gaston, and Con-
standt, Robert and Cyrus Avery. Hezekiah Morse, Joseph
French, Abiather Gates and a Mr, Patterson, also came
early. Rawson Harmon, Rufus Eldred and Cyrus Finney,
settled near Eaton village. Thomas Morris (brother of J.
Hall Morris and Benjamin Morris,) located in Morrisville.
He purchased the present village site, and being a man of
enterprise and the possessor of wealth, soon had the forest
cleared away and a fine wheat field growing about him.
He invited settlement, and in due time a village grew up,
which, in honor of him as its founder, was named "Morris-
ville."

288 MADISON COUNTY,

Dr. James Pratt was the first physician of the town.
Also, in the winter of 1797 and '98, he taught the first
school kept in the town of Eaton — the first month at the
house of Joseph Morse, on the Hamilton read ; the second
at the house of Joshua Leiand, at the lakes ; and the third
at the house of Thomas Morris, at " Morris Flats," as the
place was then called. The scholars boarded at the places
where school was kept. Dr. Pratt was prominent as a phy-
sician and was an influential citizen. Dr. Jonathan Pratt,
an early physician of Madison, and Dr. Daniel Pratt, of
Perryville, were his brothers ; the latter was a student with
him at Eaton.

Benjamin Coman located on the road laid out from Eaton
village to Morrisville. Samuel, Winsor and Ziba Coman,
his brothers, came and settled near him at a little later date.
Winsor Coman was for some years a Justice of the Peace, in
which capacity he was highly popular, being eminently a
peace maker. He was also Supervisor several years, and
was member of the Legislature for. 18 14 and '15. It has
been remarked that " Squire Coman had no enemies."*

John and Matthew Pratt located at " Pratt's Hollow."
Further mention is made of these men, elsewhere. Loren
Pearse and Caleb Dunbar located at the northeast of Eaton
village. These men spent the remainder of their years in
town, living to a good old age ; they were substantial
farmers and good citizens. Thaxter Dunbar is a son of
Caleb Dunbar. Mr. Pearse left a large family. Alvin
Pearse (or " Pierce ") lives on the homestead.

William Hopkins settled in the west part of the town, on
the old State road (the earliest laid out through this sec-
tion,) near the old burying ground. He cleared away the
wilderness, and with the aid of his sons, converted the land

*The following, on the death of Stephen Coman, one of this family, is from the
Madison Observer: " Dea. Stephen Coman, who died at his residence one mile
south of Morrisville, (in Jan. 7, 1870,) was one of the oldest native born citizens
of this town, having resided for nearly seventy years o» or near the premises where
he died. He was one of the most substantial and respected of our townsmen, en-
joying during a long life the confidence and esteem of the entire community."

EATON. 289

i-.to an excellent farm, upon which he resided until his
death at an extremely advanced age. Several of his large
family are yet living. Anthony, Isaac, Palmer and Harlow
Hopkins, his sons, residents of West Eaton and vicinity,
are men of business and of good standing in that section.
We also name Daniel Hopkins, a cousin of William, in this
connection, although he was a settler of Nelson, his farm
being just over the town line west of the reservoir. His
sons, Benjamin, Alonzo and Lucius are well known and re-
spected citizens of this town. Harvey Hopkins, another
son, went to Louisiana. On the breaking out of the war of
the rebellion, being loyal to the old flag, though a slave-
holder, he was obliged to leave the rebellious States. He
returned there after the close of the war and is since de-
ceased. One of the daughters of Daniel Hopkins, Mrs.
William Parker, remains a resident of Pierceville. Harvey
Hopkins of Morrisville, lawyer and inventor,* is a grandson
of Daniel and son of Benjamin.

Seth Snow came from Bridgewater, Mass. He cleared a
portion of the farm now owned by William Hamilton, west
of Eaton village, where he built a double log house, and
when the turnpike was laid through, kept tavern for a time.
Simeon and Eleazer Snow, his brothers, soon afterwards
came in and commenced clearings on several different farms.
The Elijah Morse place and Richard Waters, were lands
bought by Simeon Snow.

Elijah Hayden settled near the village. He was a Major
in the war of the revolution. He is well rememberd by the
oldest citizens as an active, genial man, always ready with
a joke or a story of the war "that tried men's souls."
Daniel Hatch located about a mile southeast from Eaton
village on the Hamilton road, where he removed the
shadows of the forest from the soil, built himself a home and
lived many years in the enjoyment of the fruits of his labors,

* Inventor of the "Reversible Mowing Machine" and of the new Mov.'er
" Hopkin's Choice."
S

290 MADISON COUNTY.

dying at last respected and regretted. David Gaston set-
tled in Morrisville, where he lent his influence and a help-
ing hand toward promoting the interests of that locality.
He was an early County Judge and a Justice of the Peace,
in which positions he maintained peace and good order
within his jurisdiction, to an eminent degree, through ex-
ample and wise counselings, as well as in dispensing justice
officially under the statutes. He was emphatically a man
of great and good influence. The Averys located between
Eaton village and Morrisville ; they were prominent, influ-
ential men. They removed from here to other localities,
Oren S. Avery of Perryville, was one of this family.

Thus far we have noted the locations and given brie
notices of those named, who came in 1797 and soon after,
as far as could be ascertained. We add further :

Benjamin, Nathan, Elisha and Dr. Slater were settlers at
an early day in this town. The Slaters trace their pedigree
to the Mayflower, their ancestor being one of the memor-
able company landed from that famed vessel upon Plymouth
Rock. Now, the descendants are widely scattered. David
Bennett located near Hatch's Lake, on the north side, where
he lived to an advanced age. His large farm is now owned
by Jeremiah Wadsworth. His son, Daniel, resides in West
Eaton. Olney, another son, is a Baptist minister in Wis-
consin, Abiel Payne settled early in this town, near the
reservoir. His son, Stillman, resides on the original farm,
his farm house standing on the spot where his father
erected his primitive log tenement. Truman, another son,
resides in West Eaton.

Before the eighteenth century had closed its record,
many settlers had forced their way in all directions through-
out the town. The State road had led the pioneers through
the south part of Nelson, and in different places along that
road throuoh Eaton, they had erected their cabins. In the vi-
cinity of West Eaton had settled Perry Burdick and Thomas
p>y. Farther on, Dr. Abner Camp, Captain Whiton, Na-

EATON.

291

than King and Samuel Lewis had located. The road from
Madison through to Nelson Flats passed the home of the
pioneer in other sections. It saw the opening of the forest
at Morrisville, where Thomas Morris had located, and where
the spirit of improvement and progress was fast transform-
ing the wilderness into thrifty fields of grain ; where, aided
by this man's wealth and enterprise, in time should rise the
village bearing the name of its founder. It is, however, cer-
tain that the first enterprises of the town sprung up in the
vicinity of the Leland Lakes. The settlement, which had con-
gregated here in this pretty vale, protected by the overshad-
owing Eaton hills, and the lovely lakes, with the spreading
valley before them, assumed some of the qualities of an auspi-
ciously located village. The Indian trail from the Susque-
hanna to Stockbridge, brought frequent parties of Indians ;
the traveling accommodations and attractions of Leland's
inn, the business of the mills before they were removed, the
lively Indian trade in yankee notions at Gregg's store, lo-
cated here, (the first store in town,) all certainly promised
more than was realized ; for, on the removal of the mills to
a more suitable and healthy location, other enterprises
failed, and so perished even the hope of a village at this
point.

It was the fixed opinion of some of the settlers, after the
town was set off, that the center of the town should be the
central business locality. This point was, indeed, gener-
ally regarded for a time as the place to build a village. A
tavern was kept here a short time by Alfred Cornell, and a
school-house, one of the earliest, was built, in which elec-
tions and other public meetings were sometimes held ; but
the place had no natural business facilities. On the open-
ing of the two turnpikes, one through Morrisville, the
other through Eaton village, business was drawn else-
where. Travel, a considerable source of income to new
countries, followed these newly-opened thoroughfares and
enriched the villages along their routes, while all out-of-the-

292

MADISON COUNTY,

way settlements lost caste as well as trade, and diminished ;
and so, before the project of building up the center had
fairly taken form or shape, it was of necessity yielded.

In 1800, Joseph Morse, finding an excellent mill site on
Eaton Brook, as it came swiftly down its deep vale from the
westward, saw that there was a fine chance open for the
exercise of his enterprising nature, and he resolved to im-
prove it. He employed Mr. Theodore Burr, who was
widely known in those days as a bridge builder and mill-
wright of the first order, to build his mill for twelve hun-
dred dollars. There was then great difficulty in obtaining
mill-stones ; so a large boulder was dug from the earth,
and was being wrought into shape, when it was discovered
to possess a flaw, which rendered it unfit for use. It was
consequently abandoned, and another and more perfect
stone was found, which, after being fashioned quite artis-
tically into the desired shape, went into the mill and did
good service for many years. The rejected stone may be
seen in a stone wall, on the farm of Geo. Cramphin, south
of Eaton village, an object of interest to those who would
not forget the inconveniences to which the early settlers
were subjected. Subsequently this mill was furnished with
the mill-stones brought by Col. John Lincklaen from Ger-
many, from whom Mr. Morse obtained them. Members of
the Morse family still own this mill, or one situated on the
same site. In 1802, Mr. Morse removed to "the present
locality of the Morse homestead in Eaton Village, near his
mill site, and there increased the capacity of his water
power for both saw mill and grist mill, and also built up
other works. He purchased considerable land in the
vicinity of his mills, which embraced much of the present
village. At this time settlements were increasing rapidly
in the country round about. But West Eaton was yet a
forest, with the new State road passing through.

D:. Abner Camp located on the new road just men-
tioned, to the westward of William Hopkins, just over the

EATON, 293

town line. His farm is now owned by Lucius Hopkins.
His place was called " Camp's Hill." Dr. Camp was so
widely known through all this region, that the lake in his
vicinity, (Hatch's Lake,) was first and for a long time known
by the name of " Camp's Pond." This beautiful sheet of
water in the southwest corner of Eaton was a favorite resort
of the Indians until a late day. The earliest settlers in that
vicinity relate many incidents descriptive of their manners
and customs.

At one period, as many as forty families of aborigines
dwelt in the neighborhood of the lake and swamp. A
friendly feeling was readily established between themselves
and the white people, in whose houses they made themselves
at home, entering at any and all times unannounced ; for if
the latch-string hung out, the unrestrained barbarian drew it,
and unbidden silently walked in ; or, if he so desired, would
move the door slightly ajar and peer in upon the occupants,
or would perhaps appear suddenly at the window.

Dr. Camp was annoyed by their freedom, and on one oc-
casion severely reprimanded and forbade them these liber-
ties on his premises. Regardless of his wishes, they still
continued to annoy him, when he declared he should raise
a company and drive them from the locality. To this they
responded by threats of a similar nature, saying they could
raise forty men. In a few days Dr. Camp discovered seve-
ral of their number painted savagely, and decking them-
selves in battle toilet. He immediately gathered a few of
his neighbors, who, with their muskets, crept near the In-
dians place of concealment. When well situated with his
men, Dr. Camp fired his piece at a tree, at the foot of which
sat an old Indian, who, amidst the falling bark and splinters
scattered by the ball, sprang up in affright to hear the shout
of command from the Doctor, " Come on, boys ! we've got
them !" and in double quick time the party of warlike In-
dians disappeared in the forest. For a few days thereafter
they were unusually quiet, and finally laid by their hostile

294

MADISON COUNTY.

appearance altogether and became more civil neighbors.
Dr. Camp used frequently to rehearse, with great enjoy-
ment, this adventure, in which he frightened a band of In-
dians with his company of three men.

It is related that oftentimes at evening, in fair weather,
their village of wigwams presented the appearance of rustic
simplicity and comparative content, as the women were
seen bustling about, broiling fish or game over a large camp
fire, the men, who had hunted or fished all day, reclining at
their ease, the children playing peaceably. As each morsel
of food was cooked, it was given first to one then to another
till all were satisfied. Nature's demands appeased, these
hardy children of the woods stretched themselves upon the
earth, each wrapped in his own blanket, and slept a sleep far
sweeter than if in palace chambers. Harmony and content-
ment, however, did not always fall to their lot, for under the
influence of the white man's "fire water," they had frequent
and fierce quarrels. This curse, brought with civilization,
was fast doing for them a terrible work of debasement and
destruction.

Mr. Oliver Wescott, who has lived near the lake since
early in the century, relates many incidents concerning the
Indians and* their wild habits, which go to show that they
were numerous and quite at home here at one time.

Peter Hatch settled in i8 — , at the southwest corner of
the lake now and for so long bearing his name. He built
the house in which his widow now resides, with her son,
Harrison Hatch. Joseph and Hezekiah Morse, and
Rufus Eldred, associated with him, built a saw mill here
at the outlet of the lake. In time, Peter Hatch purchased
the shares of his associates, and thus became for a period the
owner of one of the best mills in the country, it being an
excellent water power while the natural outlet was allowed
to flow, and until the lake became, as we have seen, a canal
feeder. The dry channel, passing near Mr. Hatch's house,
is not yet obliterated by the husbandman, as has been many

EATON. 295

another old landmark bearing a time-engraven record of
its own history and of the dim centuries gone by.

The following incident of the lake neighborhood, still fresh
in the memory of many, is related to us : — Many years ago,
two young children of Oliver Wescott — Elizabeth and Ste-
phen— were playing upon the shore of the inlet near their
father's house, when they conceived the idea of taking a
ride upon the lake in their mother's wash-tub, which stood
near by. Launching their improvised boat upon the water,
the two got in, and instinctively, or by chance, seated them-
selves on opposite sides, which just balanced the craft. A
breeze was blowing, and, aided by the paddle of a little
hand on either side, they were soon out upon the waters.
The frantic distress of the mother may be imagined, when,
missing her children, she looked and saw, far out from the
shore, the speck of a wash-tub and two little upright heads
above its rim, the wee excursionists, of course, as uncon-
cerned as if rocking in a cradle on the floor of their
mother's kitchen. The lake is more than half a mile wide
at the point where the tiny voyagers embarked, and they
were far towards the opposite shore, whence they were
drifting fast, when discovered. Here was opportunity for a
scene and a tragedy ; but the discretion of the mother bade
her avoid attracting the attention of the children, lest they
should make some movement to lose their balance ; instead,
she made her way swiftly through brush and briers, around
the west end of the lake, (where the stage road now runs,)
and reached a point near the present residence of Mr. Mann,
in time to receive her truants all unharmed ! Since they
were safe, she — no doubt with all motherly tenderness, as
that was her nature — administered a timely lesson of warn-
ing against all future temptations and attractions that the
water might hold forth. The boy Stephen, however, was
never cured of his love for adventure upon the " deep," and
at the age of fifteen went to sea. Since that time he has
sailed in nearly every quarter of the globe ; and now, in

296 MADISON COUNTY,

middle age, he is a denizen of the southern hemisphere,
spending much of his time in the Sandwich Islands. His
letters home tell of his marriage in Honolulu, to a Hawaiian,
Lillian, the adopted daughter of King Kamahamaha HI., a
devoted Christian girl. She died recently. The little girl,
Elizabeth, is now the wife of Mr. Henry Patridge, and re-
sides in view of the lake, which sometimes reminds her of
the perilous adventure of her early childhood.

Capt. Whiton, from Massachusetts, also settled in the
neighborhood of the lake. He was a captain in the war of
the revolution, and was a brother of Gen. Joseph Whiton,
well spoken of in the history of that war. David Bennett,
David Mentor, Nathan King and Samuel Lewis were other
settlers in the same vicinity. Many members of the Ben-
nett family are still residents of this town and Lebanon.
They are respectable and substantial farmers.

Miles Standish took up the farm now owned by Adin Brown,
and lived there many years. He was an energetic business
man. He invested in the new turnpike, and built and first
kept the old turnpike gate, which stood opposite Alderbrook
grist mill. Mr. Standish was a lineal descendant of his il-
lustrious namesake, the Miles Standish of Mayflower and Pu-
ritan memory, one of the most distinguished of the colonists
who landed upon Plymouth Rock in 1620. Seth Hitchcock
was another settler who lived near Mr. Standish. Thomas
Wilkie took up the lot which is now the homestead of How-
ard Leach. Nathan Bassett, Solomon Shaw, Nathaniel
Wilmouth and John Murdock, settled on land in the vicinity
and south of Pierceville. The four last named were gone
years ago. Nathaniel Wilmouth died here. Murdock took
up the land known as the " old Curry farm." He lived at
one time in a log house 'very near where the Pierceville
school house now stands, and in that locality made wrought
nails for all the settlers round about. A few of the settlers
on the north border of Lebanon considered themselves as
belonging to the neighborhood, including those last named.

EATON. 297

These were Lent Bradley, a Mr. Bingham, Richard Taylor
and Deacon Webster. The Deacon said that the first
wagon that entered the town of Lebanon, he drove through
this neighborhood, then an entire wilderness, save the small
clearings around the settlers' houses. David Moreton, from
New Bedford, Conn., came in the year 1802, and settled on
the farm now owned by his son, Seth Moreton. From the
trees of his forest-covered lot he built his log house, in
which he lived till 18 17, when he built his frame house, —
at that day one of the best in the vicinity — which is still
standing near Mr. Moreton's present residence.

Thus far in these annals, it will be seen that the early
part of this century was marked by the inflow of a host of
families, who reared and (many of them) established their
children, and who have, as it were, determined the charac-
ter and status of the town. In passing, the facts have
enabled us to delineate the advance pioneer, the man whose
ambition is to strike the first blow ; who glories in wres-
tling with discomfort and privations ; who eats his coarse
fare with a keener relish because he has to battle fiercely
to obtain it ; who sleeps a sweeter sleep when nature pre-
sents a comfortless couch ; who rises in his strength, because
his strength is opposed and does not remain to enjoy nature
in her tame submission, for in that case he could not enjoy ;
if there is no longer an object on which to spend his force,
he pines, sinks into obscurity, or moves on to fresh scenes
of conquest. Such was the nature of some whose names
we have given, and doubtless of many whose names we
have not been able to obtain, who passed along, leaving a
fair opening for the permanent settler.

Many inhabitants who came in and settled where the vil-
lages grew up, are mentioned in connection with a sketch of
those villages. Many others settled in various sections at
later periods, whose families are still with us. The names
immediately following will be recognized by many.

David Darrow came from New Lebanon, N. Y., in 1 806,

298 MADISON COUNTY.

and took up a lot south of West Eaton village, now owned
by his son, J. J, Darrow. He removed his family here in
1808. Mr, Darrow also took up or purchased several farms
around him, one of which he sold to Ephraim Leach who
incorporated it in his homestead farm. The same is now a
part of the farm of Marshall Tayntor. To the northward,
Mr, Darrow's land extended so far as to embraced a con-
siderable portion of West Eaton village. Much of this he
divided among his children, making them — what they are
now — quite extensive farmers.

Joseph Enos, a native of New Lebanon, N. Y., came also
in 1806, and located on a farm adjoining David Darrow on
the east. The old road passing from Pierceville across
" half moon bridge," at the head of the factory pond, passed
by the doors of Mr, Darrow and Mr. Enos. The old
orchard of the Enos farm has still a few trees left to indi-
cate its location. Mr. Enos afterwards removed to Eaton
village, where he lived till 183 1, when he changed his
residence to Allegany County. He held town offices and
was a very popular man. Among the Masons he is reputed
to have been a member of great influence and thoroughly
versed in masonic knowledge. Possessing most courteous
and agreeable manners, he won his way wherever he went,
David Enos, a brother of Joseph, yet resides at West Eaton.

Jacob Tuckerman came about 1808, and located in the
west part of the town. He subsequently removed to
Eaton village. His sons settled in this town. They were
independent, substantial farmers.

Backus Leach came to this town from Bridgewaten
Mass., in 18 12. He purchased a large farm on lot No. 97,
which, by hardy energy and perseverance, he succeeded in
making one of the noblest in this section. Near his
dwelling stood an ancient landmark, a large elm tree, which
for its size, beauty and apparent great age, attracted the
attention of all passers by. In 1866, after the death of
Mr. Leach, this noble tree was blown down. Mr. Leach

EATON. 299

died in 1864, at the ripe age of 82 years, while in posses-
sion of uncommonly well preserved bodily and mental
activity. His son, Howard H. Leach, succeeded to the
spacious home farm.

Ephraim Leach, brother to Backus, came here in 18 18,
and settled on a farm adjoining his brother. For this farm
he paid sixteen dollars per acre in eagles and half eagles.
He is still living, with his son Lewis, on a part of the
same farm, at the great age of 93 years, having been
born in Bridgewater, Plymouth County, Mass., April 2 2d,
1779. He is still blessed with a remarkably good memory.

George H. Andrews came from Windsor, Conn., about
1808, and was a resident of the same neighborhood. He
was well known as a journeyman shoemaker in the early
days. He resided in this town till his death, which occurred
in -1 870, at the home of his youngest son, George Andrews,
in Pierceville, He reached the advanced age of ^y years.

Joseph Tayntor, we also notice here, as his sons and
daughters have mostly settled in this town, and have
been closely identified with this section of the country,
and constitute an important and influential portion of com-
munity. Joseph Tayntor located in the town of Lebanon,
just beyond the south line of Eaton, in the year 1808. He
reared his family on the same farm he himself wrested
from the heavy forest, and on this farm he died in 1847, at
the age of 73 years. (Note/)

A few settlers located at Eaton village soon after Mr.
Morse built his mill. Nicholas Byer, a blacksmith, was
one of the first. His father, who lived here also, was one
of Burgoyne's Hessians in the time of the revolution. This
fact was noted by the revolutionary patriots who were his
neighbors. Another of these settlers, following the building
of the mill, was Elisha Willis, one of the best of shoe-
makers.

In 1806, Eaton village had less than half a dozen houses,
of logs, nevertheless it boasted of being one of the cities of

300 MADISON COUNTY.

the new country. The manner of its christening has been
related as follows :

A stranger who had traveled hither, and was generously
entertained by the hospitable people, was found to be the
prince of good fellows and withal a wag. In the midst of
their jollification, he took a flask of "good cheer," ascended
one of the low roofed log buildings, and in the presence of
a group of admiring comrades, delivered a short and witty
harangue, flourished his bottle, and drank to the health of
" Log City," which was answered by the waving of hats and
three rousing cheers. The spirit of the occasion lingered
in the feelings and was carried home by each on^ present,
and he in turn retailed the good joke perpetrated on the
settlement, to his neighbor. The story grew in importance,
was passed from mouth to mouth, till the name of Log City,
one of the chief stopping places on the Skaneateles turn-
pike, became familiar as a household word from the eastern
to the western limits of New York State ; thenceforward
for the next fifty years, the name became a fixture, and it re-
quired no small amount of diligence, for the present genera-
tion to let fall the cognomen and assume the more eupho-
nious title of Eaton village.

When the town had been progressing in settlement ten
years, the taxes were but $400. In 18 12 or 18 14, it had
from $ 1 ,200 to $ 1 ,400 of surplus money above expenses. In
1 87 1, the taxes of Eaton aggregated $21,869.

In 1802, the first tavern in " Log City" was built by Isaac
Sage. It was located on the east side of the road going to
Lebanon, on the corner, and opposite the present site of the
Exchange Hotel. This old tavern is still standing, a relic
of the past. At the time it was built it was reckoned a fine
large house. In one part of this town, Robert and William
Henry commenced keeping store in 1805, and continued
for some time. Rufus Eldred kept store across the street,
near the Exchange location. After a time the Henrys
moved across into the store they had there built.

EATON. 301

In 1804, the first distillery of the place was built by Ru-
fus and Zenas Eldred, on the site where Ellis Morse, years
after, run a large distillery.

The Mrs. Maydole house, on the west corner, opposite
Sage's hotel, was also very early built ; it is still a good res-
idence.

Samuel Chubbuck, who came to Eaton about 1 807 or 1 808,
built a frame house on the present location of the lower,
or eastern hotel. There was then one log house where now
stands the Baptist parsonage, another near the house of
Mrs. John Whitney, (known as the " Sherman house") and
another near the pleasant residence formerly known as the
" Ellis house."

The first carding machine in this part of the country was
built on the creek, where the woolen mill afterwards stood,
by Hezekiah Morse and Rufus Eldred, in the year 1806.
They soon added clothier works, and in due time increased
their business by the addition of a " spinning-jenny " and
looms. In 1833, the establishment was rebuilt of stone by
Alpha Morse and Clement Leach, who had purchased it.
They filled it with two sets of machinery for woolen goods
and did much business for several years. It has passed
through the hands of several different firms since ; was ope-
rated as a stocking factory during the war of the rebellion
by the Lewis Brothers, and was last used as a woolen factqiy
by Smith O'Brien. It has been damaged by fire once and
rebuilt. At present it is owned by O. A. Medbury, who
has converted it into a cabinet manufactory.

Mr. B. Carter built the first tannery of Eaton village, and
operated it for a time, as early as 1808. It was situated
contiguous to the Maydole house. Several years after, it
was carried on by Milmine & Ward.

After the Skaneateles turnpike went through, there was
need of better tavern accommodations; Mr. Samuel Stow,
-therefore, built and kept a tavern on the corner opposite the
lower hotel. Samuel Chubbuck, living opposite to him.

302 MADISON COUNTV.

carried on a blacksmith shop. These two men had by some
disa2;reement become violently opposed to each other. In
a spirit of competition, Mr. Chubbuck erected another tav-
ern opposite Stow's. Chubbuck was a staunch Democrat,
and this was a time soon after the war of 1812 ; so upon
one side of his attractive sign board was displayed the dying
words of Commodore Lawrence, as a motto, — " Don't give
up the Ship !" — and on the other, " Free Trade and Sailor's
Rights !" Mr. Stow immediately erected another black-
smith shop to match Chubbuck's, which stood very near
where Coman's store is, and swung out his sign directly op-
posite to Chubbuck bearing these words: " Don't give up
the Shop !" and on the reverse side, " Free Trade and Me-
chanic's Rights !" — alluding to his neighbor's giving up
blacksmithing for tavern keeping. Those unique signs hung
out for many a year. The Chubbuck hotel is the present
lower house.

The first school house in Log City was located on the
ground which is now the cemetery. This building was
burned. The next school was held in a house farther east
on the Hamilton road. The late Rev. Charles Finney, of
Oberlin College and revivalist fame, was a pupil at this
school, and as a leader in all school boy sport, he is well re-
membered. He was a nephew of Dea. Finney, with whom
he lived in his boyhood. The old brick school house was
built in 1808, and it stood on the site of the house of Ellis
Coman. This was one of the first brick buildings erected in
Madison County ; it was a well built two story house and
was also used as a " town house." Th^re was not a hand-
somer building in any of the villages about, and it was con-
sidered by many a great mistake when it was removed.
Some of the brick are in the blacksmith shop of Mr. Win-
chester.

Squire Rufus Eldred, who lived at Eaton village several
years, was one of the men of the times of whom the town
was justly proud. There is an incident related, which,

EATON. 303

while it illustrates an old time custom, gives us an insight
into his character and an idea of his influence : Major
Elijah Hayden, one of the early settlers, for some slight mis-
demeanor, was once arrested by an aspiring young officer,
who put him in the stocks, the only instance in which this
then legal punishment was ever inflicted in this region.
Squire Eldred happening to pass by at the time discovered
Maj. Hayden thus confined, and demanded of the young
oflicer what authority he had for punishing a soldier of the
revolution in that degrading manner. The officer produced
perfectly legal authority for so doing, but Squire Eldred
commanded his immediate release, legal or not legal.
Suffice it to say that the Major was released forthwith, and
this barbarous penalty was never afterwards enforced in this
community.

Dr. James Pratt was succeeded in the medical profession
here by Dr. Charles W. Hull, who was a prominent physi-
cian in this locality many years. Dr. Pratt, Joseph Enos,
Rufus and Zenas Eldred, Dr. Charles and Andrew Hull, the
Comans, the Morses (note^,) and a few others, were the lead-
ing spirits here of the first quarter century. They encouraged
and assisted every enterprise and enlisted themselves in
very many. Some of these men belonged to the old Ma-
sonic Lodge, No. 121, which was removed from Hamilton to
Eaton in 18 17. The Masons owned a superbly fitted up
hall adjoining Samuel Stow's tavern ; they built this at their
own expense at the time of the tavern addition. The lodge
continued its regular meetings here up to the period of its
dissolution in 1827.

One individual, whose name is associated largely with the

enterprises of Eaton village, in the half century past, was

Ellis Morse, whose death transpired October 28, 1869. The

" Madison Observer " thus speaks of him : —

" Death of Ellis Morse, Esq. — We record to-day the de-
cease of this well-known and highly-esteemed citizen, almost
the last survivor of the early settlers of this town. In 1796,
when a lad of seven years, he emigrated to this town from

304

MADISON COUNTY.

Sherburne, Mass., with his father, the late Joseph Morse, Esq.,
locating on the place known as the Burchard farm, at pre-
sent owned by Charles Payne, and built one of the first frame
houses in this region, a part of which is yet standing at the foot
of the hill, on the right of the road leading from Eaton to Ham-
ilton. Near this house ran the Indian trail from the Susque-
hanna to Stockbridge, and the Indians were frequent guests.
In 1802, four years before the town of Eaton was set off from
Hamilton, his father removed to the present location of the
family homestead at Eaton village, where he erected one of the
first grist mills this side of Whitestown. Here Mr. Morse began
his long and active career, laying the foundation of his after suc-
cess in life ; beside the hopper by day, and the firelight by
night, with brief intervals of school tuition in winter season, he
diligently studied the only books of the times within his reach,
such as Dilworth's Spelling-Book, DaboU's Arithmetic, the
Columbian Orator and the Bible. At this time the only school
in the town was kept by the late Dr. James Pratt, and held suc-
cesssive months at different places in the town, one of which
was his father's residence, the scholars boarding meantime at
the place where the school was kept During his long and
active life the deceased was widely and honorably known in
business circles, where his correct and methodical habits and
strict integrity gave him deservedly great influence. He was
early engaged with his father in buying and selling cattle, thus
furnished the early settlers with money at a time when it was
remarkably scarce and greatly needed. Subsequently he was
largely engaged in the building of roads for the new country,
one of which was the Hamilton and Skaneateles Turnpike.
Mr. Morse was a person of modest and retiring disposition, yet
his sterling qualities frequently placed him in important public
stations. For several years he was an influential member of
the Board of Supervisors, and part of the time its Chairman.
It is a singular coincidence that his father, in 18 17, was
one of the commissioners appointed to superintend the erection
of the first Court House built here ; that thirty years afterwards
the deceased was chosen to superintend the building of the
second Court House ; and that nearly twenty years subse-
quently his son (George E.) was also appointed to superintend
the erection of the third and present Court House.

" During the past few years, Mr. Morse had, to a great extent,
withdrawn from business activities, passing the evening of his
days among those who knew and appreciated his blameless life
and high character. It is permitted to but few men to witness
the wonderful changes which have occurred in the lifetime of the
deceased. The dense forest, over which the curling smoke of
the Indian wigwam was to his youthful eyes a familiar scene,

EATON. 305

has given place to well-cultivated fields and a prosperous popu-
lation, along whose hills and valleys the trailing smoke of the
first locomotive is to-day the harbinger of far greater changes
than were witnessed even in the eventful lifetime of our departed
townsman."

The " Eaton Woolen Manufacturing Company " was
formed about 18 16. Joseph Morse, Hezekiah Morse,
James Cooledge, sen., Benjamin Brown, Samuel Stow, Cur-
tis Hoppin and Dr. James Pratt, were members of this
company. They built a factory east of Eaton village, on the
Chenango, in 1816 or '17. After being run by the com-
pany for a time, it was leased to Gilbert Jones for a term of
years, who manufactured woolen goods. He failed when it
was leased to David Rogers, and for a time manufactured
cotton goods. At one time both cotton and woolen goods
were made at this factory. Homer Pratt, son of Dr. James
Pratt, run the establishment a few years, but, about 1828,
failed. For a time after this it was idle ; then was pur-
chased by Pettis & Hoppin. This firm added to its capa-.
cities, and built on the premises quite extensively, intend-
ing to go heavily into the manufacture of woolen go.ods.
They had but just completed these preparations, when,
by an unlucky accident, the establishment took fire, and
burned to the ground. This disaster occurred in the
autumn of 1845. The proprietors lost heavily, and did not
rebuild. The ruins may be seen about half a mile east of
the village. There was a fine boarding-house and a store
kept by the company. The excellent farm house belonging
to Mr. Joseph Holton, was the residence of Mr. Pettis.

Earlier than the building of the factory just mentioned,
was the construction of the old powder mill, which was sit-
uated farther south, on the Chenango. If the curious wish
to find its site, they can take the road which crosses the
flat eastward from Giles Clark's ; it stood on this road, on
land now owned by John Graham ; when built, the land was
owned by Squire Simeon Gillett. The mill was the prop-

306 MADISON COUNTY.

erty of James McConnell, and was built by him probably
as early as 1806. It was finally destroyed by an explosion
and fire, after it had been in disuse some time, from some
powder left in the mill, in which disaster two young men,
Samuel Washburne and Eleazer Goodrich, came near losing
their lives. Very near here, Squire Gillett put up the grist
mill, removed from Lelands in 1802. The mill went down
years ago.

About 181 7, Richard Ward built a tannery on the Eaton
brook, in the village. Otis Hunt purchased it and for some
number of years did a good business in that line. He sold
to Collins & Tillinghast, after which it passed through
several hands, then was burned, then rebuilt by Ellis Morse,
and is now owned by Charles Fry,

The wagon shop now owned by Charles Gilbert, was
built by Samuel Parker. The wagon shop now owned by
Robert Gilbert was erected for a school-house, and origi-
nally stood east of the Baptist meeting house. As a school
institution, this was the enterprise of a few individuals,
prominent among whom were Alpheus Morse, Lyman
Gardner, Calvin Morse and John M. Rockwell. The first
teachers were Miss Gorton and Miss Terry — the latter now
Mrs. Bacon. The school usually had three teachers ; it was
conducted on the academic plan, and is said to have been
the best school ever instituted in Eaton. It continued
some five or six years. When the families to which the
enterprise belonged, passed beyond their school days, the
school declined and was finally given up. It was removed
to the present location and converted into a cabinet ware
shop, and a few years since it was changed to a wagon shop.
The wagon shop and smithery of Mr. Booth, was built
many years ago by Rogers & Parker.

The Portable Steam Engine Works of Wood, Tabor &
Morse. — Allen and Enos D. Wood, brothers, erected build-
ings in Eaton village, for the prosecution of their business,
in 1848. All kinds of castings, as well as fine machinery

EATON,

307

for factories, were made at their foundry. For a time, the
establishment was managed by the Woods. Subsequently,
E. D. Wood removed to Utica, where he became one of the
proprietors of similar works on an extensive scale, under
the firm name of " Wood & Mann." The firm at Eaton, as
now organized, has steadily extended their facilities and
increased their business, greatly to the prr-sperity of the
village. They employ about fifty men, and manufacture
three engines per week, at an average cost of about ;^8oo
each. Portable steam engines being their specialty of late
years, their work has grown widely popular ; their engines
are now distributed throughout the Union.

Though all departments of business have contributed to
the prosperity of Eaton village, the mercantile has been pre-
eminent in that respect. Old residents remember the
firm of Leach & Morse as prominent for many years ; as
men, active in their business, and extensive in their oper-
ations. They built the " Felton block," afterwards pur-
chased by David Felton, where he kept store for several
years — now the cabinet ware store of O. A. Medbury. The
drug store, now owned by Henry Allen, was built in 18 16,
by Dr. Charles W. and Andrew C. Hull. This is another
of the old, substantial brick buildings of this village. In
1 83 1, the store now conducted by the Morse Brothers, was
built by Ellis and Alpheus Morse ; here Alpheus Morse
was formerly a merchant. Not far from the last date,
Coman's store was built by Sylvester Thayer, another of
Eaton's old merchants. In 1836, the "Exchange Hotel"
was built by Ellis and Alpheus Morse. The architect,
Jacob Bishop, built many of the best houses of the village,
about this time. The first landlord of the " Exchange " was
Cyrus Allen. The Baptist church, on Main street, was
erected in 1820 ; the Presbyterian, on Church street, in
1833 ; the Methodist, not till 1856. The Union school
house, a fine looking building, with spacious lawn and
shade trees in front, situated on Church street, is also of

3o8 MADISON COUNTY.

recent build. The store now occupied by H. C. Palmer, on
Main street, was built by Mrs. Maydole in 1870.

Madison County Poor House, situated a short distance
south of Eaton village, was built in 1828. Attached to it
is a farm of 159 acres, which is well improved and furnished
with good farm buildings ; it is a source of considerable
revenue toward the support of the poor at the institution.
The accommodations here for this class of unfortunates,
have been from time to time added to and improved ; there
are now three two-story stone buildings devoted to their
use and care ; — the Poor House proper, a lunatic asylum,
and a hospital. Within three years past the county
authorities have greatly improved the sanitary condition of
the insane asylum, have added facilities for the greater
comfort of those in the hospital, and have bettered the
condition of things for all other inmates. The removal of
the children to the "Orphan's Home," in Peterboro, during
the year 1871, has proved another beneficial measure. The
first keeper or overseer of the Poor House was Ichabod
Amidon, who continued several years.

About half a mile west of Eaton village is the unused
building and premises of the old scythe factory, which was
started about 1830. It was for a time conducted by Gard-
ner & Abbot. It was a substantial stone structure, having
an excellent water power. It was a thrifty, paying concern
for many years. Subsequently, it was converted into an ax
factory, where the "Winchester ax " so often seen twenty
and more years ago, was made by Samuel B. Winchester.
Gardner Morse now owns the property.

On the eastern outskirts of Eaton village, about half a
m?le from the business center, is located the Eaton Depot
of the Midland Railroad. It is conveniently reached by
freight teams from Eaton, Pierceville and West Eaton
villages, over smooth roads, and by hacks for passengers
from each of these places at all train hours.

EATON.

309

We append the following obituary list, the items of which
have been omitted in their more appropriate places ; all of
them old residents of Eaton :

" Levi Bonney, whose location was the old Bonney Farm
near the Depot, died in 1855, aged 80 years. Miles Standish
died in 1819, aged 71 years; Caleb Dunbar in 1811, aged 51
years, and his wife in 1801 ; David Hatch in 1836, aged 64
years ; David Moreton in 1842, aged 69 years ; Samuel Chub-
buck in 1835, aged 67 years ; John Jlubbard in 1817, aged 51
years ; Capt. Joseph Gardner in 1829, aged 62 years ; Dr. Hull
in 1833, aged 51 years; Dea. Cyrus Finney in 1846, aged 68
years; Elisha Willis in 1835, aged 58 years; Loren Pierce in
1851, aged 77 years; Col. Rockwell was killed in 1847, aged 56
years."

Also, we add the following note of two of the Comans,
not given elsewhere : Samuel Coman was father to the
wife of Rev. William Dean, many years ago the noted mis-
sionary to China. The wik became an active missionary
also, with her husband. Winsor Coman, another of the
family, was a noble man and stood high in the esteem of
his townsmen. This was a family of remarkably robust,
active men.

• David McCrellis settled where the brick house is situated
on the road from Eaton village to Morrisville. Benjamin
White located north of Log City, having a family who were
conspicuous. One son, Rev. Ward White, was a noted min-
ister in the Methodist denomination.

Abiather Gates was the first settler and original owner
of the farm on the hill, east of Morrisville, afterwards owned
successively by Uriah Leland and Henry Runkle. Mr.
Gates built the present dwelling house and kept it as a tav-
ern many years, where, also, all the public meetings in that
part of the town were held, previous to the settlement of
Morrisville. The farm is now owned by Mr. Jones.

MORRISVILLE.

When Thomas Morris reached the town of Eaton in
1796, he chose for his location the heavily timbered land

3IO MADISON COUNTY.

bordering the Chenango, and there afterwards founded the
village which bore his name. He was a man of wealth,
and encouraged all classes of mechanics ; he thus gathered
about him the elements which go far toward establishing
a village. It was, however, but a small, pleasantly located
hamlet, having a church, a postoffice, two taverns, a store,
and the usual number of mechanics, up to the period when
the County Seat was located here, in 1817. The Cherry
Valley Turnpike was then in its glory and the tide of travel
made lively business for the inns. But there were active
men in Morrisville whose influence went far towards fixing
the permanent location of the County Seat here. John
Farwell, Amariah Williams, Dr. Isaac Hovey, Dr. Wm.
Pitt Cleveland, Judge Gaston and Bennett Bicknell, were
chief in all matters that pertained to the public interest.
The Williams, the Farwells and Tidds were early settlers,
all of them we believe emigrants from Connecticut. The
status of the village in 18 16, was nearly what it had been
since its rapid progress immediately atter the Cherry Valley
Turnpike went through ; Major Bennett Bicknell kept store
in the building now occupied by Wm. P. Chambers ; John
Farwell kept a hotel on the spot now occupied by the resi-
dence of his son Thomas ; Thomas Morris lived in a small
house where Otis P. Granger now resides, at the northeast
corner of the road leading to Peterboro.

In 1817, the long discussed question having been settled,
the County Seat was removed to Morrisville. The object
sought by Madison County in removing the Court House
from Cazenovia which was then a most progressive village,
was a central point. As between Smithfield and Eaton,
both of which sought it, the decision was made in favor of
the latter. Joseph Morse, Capt. Jackson and Squire Elisha
Carrington, were appointed to superintend the erection of
the new Court House, and the first court was held here
Oct. 7th, 1817.

Thenceforward Morrisville became the central point for

EATON, 311

all county organizations. From published sources, pre-
vious to 1830, we gather statements concerning several of
these societies. The Madison County Medical Society was
then an organization nearly a quarter century old.

The County Temperance Society also frequently met in
this village.

The Madison Colonization Society, formed about that
period, met here frequently, and from the large hearts, the
contagious zeal and the wise deliberations of the best men
of the county, the public mind was moulded to receive the
great principles of human freedom, preparing the rising gen-
eration to decide without hesitation as to the right, when
the crisis should arrive.

A County Bible Society and Sunday School Union held
their periodical meetings here.

An organized Musical Society often convened in this
village.

These and other societies sprung up during the period fol-
lowing the second decade of this century, when it seemed
that Madison County had suddenly sprung into new life.
Being the seat of the courts of justice, we can form but an
imperfect idea of the scenes enacted at this secondary thea-
tre, of a nature oftentimes wildly tragic, and again serio-
comic, and frequently unraveling the characteristics of the
farce.

The execution of Abram Antone in the year 1823, was
the last of those tragic performances, a public execution,
given in Morrisville.

The name of Abram Antone had become a synonym of
all that was barbarous and terrible, and when the news
spread abroad that he had been captured and taken to Mor-
risville jail, the whole population of this region breathed
more freely, for he was feared as well as hated, and when it
was decreed that he was to be publicly executed, the people
far and near determined to witness the horrible scene. It
is said that " the pioneer laid down his ax, the good wife put

^\3 MAmSO\' COUNTY.

by her spinninjc and packeii up their rations of ginjjerbread
and doughnvits, saddKi their horses and journeyed forty
and fit^y miles through wilderness paths, to witness the
tragic cUxse of a mysterious, eventful life. Hunters shoul-
dered.! their ritles and marched to the public execution, ex-
pectii\g they and their rifles would be of " service." for the
tribes had threatenevl to rescue him at the latest hour.
" Farmers let\ their autumn harvesting, yoked their oxen to
the cart and with their numer(>us femilies proceeded to the
exciting scene. * * Tawny forms, with their moccasins,
wampum belts and heavy blankets, moveil sombrely aK^ut,
many of whom shrank fearfully fu>m them." And yet An-
tone went to his death like the stoical warrior that he was.
He objected to the degradation of hanging and being pub-
licly exhibited. " No good way." says he. putting his
hands arv>und his neck, then pointing to his heart signified
that he chose to die a nobler death. He begged to be let
loose and give the militia an opportunity to bring him
down like a hunted deer. Finding his appeals unheeded,
he marched upon the scaffold with a calm and dignified
tread, not a muscle quivering till the final pangs of death
told that the deed was done which ushered into another
state of existence? the soul of Abram Antone. Friday.
Sept. 1 2th. iS-?5. closed the recorvi of public executions in
Madison County. The gallows which closed the career of
this notorious Indian, was erected in the open field, north
of the arsenal, on the west side of the Peterboro road.

Lewis Wilbur was executed in the jail at Morrisville, in
the year iS59> for the murder of Robert Barber, in the town
of Sullivan. In the year 1^55, John Hadcock was tried here
for the munler of Mrs Gregg, in Stockbridg-e. and on Feb-
nary 33, i5*54. was executed in the jaU j-ard.*

Here many a poor man has been confined on the jail
limits tor debt. We are gi\'en an instance of one man. who.
coming into the new country with small means, soon ex-

I

EATON 3 1 3

bausted his supply of cash, and was compelled to get in
debt for various necessaries at a store. The debt coming
due, there was no means wherewith to cancel it The cred-
itor levied upon and took his household furniture and his
only cow, notwithstanding there was a sick wife and five
little ones who had chiefly subsisted on this cow's milk ; and
then, the debt not being all paid, and both the law and the
creditor inexorable, the poor man was hurried off to the jail
at Morris ville. Kind neighbors, scarcely able to sustain
themselves, looked after the wants of the suffering hmily.
Like a true Yankee, however, this husband and father, *' in
durance vile," being allowed " the freedom of the limits,"
contrived to improve the days of his terra in making bas-
kets, the sale of which relieved some of the pressing neces-
sities at home. T^is law, so rigorous, had received the
condemnation of wise, reflecting men, long before it was ex-
punged from the statute books. At last a formidable cru-
sade was made against it ; petition after petition from all
parts of the .State flowed in upon the Legislature — ^several
from this county — ^but not until the year 1832, was the in-
cubus lifted from the unfortunate poor of this common-
wealth.

ThLs village was the central point for great political
meetings, and here congregated, during each exciting cam-
paign, deputations of wide-awake political men fi-om all
parts of the county. Exciting political ' battles have been
fought on this ground. In the remembrance of many, there
has been no contest more fierce than that during the anti-
Masonic excitement, in which the Masons, under the ban-
ner of the " Observer and Recorder," of Morrisville, and the
anti-Masons, under that of the " Republican Monitor," of
Ca2enovia, w^aged war throughout the contest

We are told, that in the days of a half century past, the
people of this country prided themselves exceedingly on
their military displays ; that " general training " was a time
of great interest to all On these occasions, Morrisville was-

314 MADISON COUNTY

alive with plumed heads, bands and bars, stars and epau-
lettes. The evolutions of the drill were studiously and
accurately performed, and the pomp of the parade, and the
pleasure and exultation of the performers, was hightened by
the presence, the smiles and admiring glances of the gentler
sex. These often-congregating masses, for one purpose
and another, kept Morrisville in a continuous move, keep-
ing step with the spirit of the times.

The village was incorporated April 13, 18 19. The first
newspaper, the " Madison Observer," was published here
in 1822, under the proprietorship of Rice & Hall, who had
removed it from Cazenovia. From 1829 to 1840, there was
great activity in trade, and mechanics and manufactures
developed. The population of the village in 1830, was 503,
in a town containing 3,544 inhabitants. There had been a
small foundry built, then carried on by Sumner Whitney.
About the same period, Jefferson Cross established his
foundry, which has been kept in operation to the present
time. Mr. Cross commenced making stoves at the opening
of his business. Stoves w^ere not in general use at that day,
and he had the pleasure and honor of introducing them into
very many households. In the manufacture of the stove
known as the " Great Western," he realized a handsome
profit, in consequence of its great demand. [We risk the
remark that, for some purposes, it is a very useful stove
at this day.] The machine shop which Mr. Cross built
was connected with his foundry, where he made a large va-
riety of castings. After his death, this shop was sold, and
the same business was carried on in the foundry. These
works have been a source of benefit to the village, and are
still a substantial and paying concern. George and Dwight
Cross, sons of Jefferson Cross, succeeded to the ownership
of . the establishment, and are the present firm. About
1820, Nathan Shephard built a small woolen factory on the
Chenango, at the west end of the village, which was in op-
eration some fifteen or twenty years ; in 1 830, it was run

EATON. 3 I 5

by Ozias Higley. Clark Tillinghast and Perley Ayer were
other manufacturers of that day. There were then, as we
learn from the advertising of that period, a comb factory be-
longing to Jonathan Gurley, also the chair making and
cabinet rooms of Curtis Coman ; the saddle, harness and
trunk shop of James Slocum ; the millinery shop of Miss M.
Bicknell, and the store of B. Bicknell. There were others
whose trade, we are to suppose, was sufficient without ad-
vertising. There were two taverns, and the names of the
landlords, for a series of years, are given as John Farwell,
A. Morey, P. Hunger and Ward White. There was a dis-
tillery which belonged to Bicknell, Norton & Palmer ; it
ceased to be, many years ago. Bradley Tillinghast built the
tannery somewhere about 1830. This business is still con-
ducted by him, on an extensive plan, and by his efficient
management has proved profitable. The grist mill was
built by Bennett Bicknell in 1833. Stephens & Gurley built
a silk factory on Union street, before 1840 ; the chief arti-
cle of manufacture was sewing-silk ; they had an extensive
commerce for a time, but the establishment remained in
operation but a few years ; the building has been converted
into a cheese factory.

The educational spirit of this village was originally
and is now, decidedly cosmopolitan. In the absence of
literar}'- institutions corresponding with those planted in
other villages, it was the aim here to educate the mass in
the more common and useful fields of learning, and to a
higher state of perfection than could result in common
schools. Select schools were held season after season on
the most advantageous terms for pupils, in which the com-
mon English branches were taught for $2 per quarter, and
Algebra, Geometry, Natural Philosophy and Rhetoric, for
33 per quarter ; and board could be had for $1,25 per week.
In 1 83 1, an Academy was built, which stood on the location
of the present Union School house ; it was a fine three-
story building. Its first Principal was Eli Burchard, of

3l6 MADISON COUNTY.

Marshall, Oneida County ; its first board of trustees, O. P.
Granger, B. Coman, J, F. Chamberlin, W. T. Curtis, E.
Holmes, B. Bicknell, M. Leland, A. Williams, J. Payne, C.
Tillinghast, J. W. Avery, A. Cornell and J. G. Curtis.

The N. Y. State Gazetteer of 1842, gives Morrisville 130
dwelling houses and 700 inhabitants. The County build-
ings were " composed of a Court House, County Clerk's
Office and a Jail, very pleasantly situated ; an incorporated
Academy, three Churches, — the Presbyterian, Baptist and
Methodist ; — a printing office, silk factory, distillery, tannery,
woolen factory, iron foundry, machine shop, grist mill, saw
mill, five stores and two taverns."

In 1847, a new Court House was built; Ellis Morse,
Samuel White and Oliver Pool, were the committee
appointed to superintend its erection. This was burned in
October 1865, during the session of Court. In 1866, it
was rebuilt. It is a two-story wooden building, containing
an excellent court room with gallery, jury rooms and libra-
ry. It is pleasantly situated in a small park, fronting on
Main street. In the park is a fountain, and reservoir
thirty feet in diameter and seven feet deep, affording an
abundant supply of water in case of fire. The Clerk's
office is a small brick building, fire proof, adjacent to the
Court House, The Jail, situated also contiguous to the
Court House, is an old building and is soon to be super-
seded by a new one of brick. The cell in which the
notorious Indian murderer, Antone was confined, still bears
the carvings he made in the curious hieroglyphics of
savage life. Immediately after his sentence, he engraved
upon the wall the number of moons and the number of
sleeps to the day of his doom ; thus, here the firm hand of
this eloquent representative oi barbarism performed its last
work.

In 1868, one of the three then existing hotels, the upper
or most easterly one, was destroyed by fire. This was a
commodious, well patronized house, and its loss has been

EATON,

317

seriously felt. A company is rebuilding it the present sea-
son (1872,) on a plan far more extensive than the former.
On the public green, near the lower or western hotel, is
situated another fountain ; this, with that in the Court
House park, supplies such an abundance of water, that, for
the future, and with her efficient corps of firemen, Morris-
ville seems munificently provided for, in case of a repetition
of the conflagrations she has experienced.

About one mile south of Morrisville, near the "Center,"
was the old " Tillinghast factory." This was one of the
first woolen factories of Madison County, built about 1822,
by Perley Ayer. It was situated in a remarkably pictur-
esque locality. The factory pond was a narrow body of
water, created by damming between two perpendicular
hills, covering some fifteen acres, and was ordinarily some
twenty feet in depth. The plot for the factory houses, con-
taining about twenty acres of level land, was at the foot of
the hill and was handsomely laid out. In time this became
the property of Clark Tillinghast, who by the means of cap-
ital, consid'^jrably increased the business. There were seve-
ral fine dwellings and a good boarding house, and there
were also on the premises a saw mill and tannery. This
fine property was damaged beyond redemption by two suc-
cessive floods, in the autumn of 1851, in the first of which
the water broke through the dam, carried away a part of the
saw mill, struck a range of dwellings, broke up and carried
away two of them, and forced the others against each other,
nearly destroying them. The flood now turned and ad-
vanced upon other buildings, utterly demolishing and sweep-
ing away the dwelling house of Almon Lawrence, leaving
not a trace of it save the submerged cellar ; his barn shared
the same fate. The cloth lying in the dye-house was swept
away, and several hundred sheep pelts were carried away
from the tannery. Onward traversed the wild flood toward
Eaton village, tearing up dams and bridges in its course
and bearing on its bosom the spoils of the devastated fac-

3l8 MADISON COUNTY.

tory settlement ! Fortunately the horrors of the scene
were not aggravated by the loss of human life ; but very
many were stripped of the savings of their industry, and
some 150 persons were thrown out of employment. Mr.
Tillinghast immediately commenced repairing, when, a few
weeks later, a second flood damaged the property still far-
ther, so that it was never fully repaired and put in success-
ful operation again. After years of disuse the premises
were sold to the firm of Graham & Co., who built a machine
shop there in 1869.

Tlic First National Bank of Morrisville was established in
1864, with a capital of {g 100,000. First Directors: Daniel
Stewart, L. D. Dana, F. M. Whitman, Henry Runkle, Reu-
ben Ilarwood, S. T. Holmes, A. M. Holmes, B. Tillinghast,
George E. Cummings, John C. Head. First ofificers :
Daniel Stewart, President ; A. M. Holmes, Vice President ;
L. D. Dana, Cashier. The present officers are: Daniel
Stewart, President ; A. M, Holmes, Vice President ; L. D.
Dana, Cashier ; Brownell Tompkins, Teller. There has
been but one change in the list of directors since the or-
ganization of the bank ; that ol Charles L. Kennedy in the
place of George E. Cummings.

BENNETT BICKNELL.

The Madison Observer of Sept. 21, 1841, published an
extended notice of Mr. Bicknell's death, which occurred
Sept. 15, 1841, in his 6ist year, from which the subjoined
extract is made. It gives a just view of his appreciation
by his fellow citizens :

'.' Oar village has been smitten with no common calamity. It
has been deprived of its head and benefactor — of one who per-
haps more than any other man was identified with its growth
and prosperity. Mr. Bicknell was a native of Mansfield, Conn.,
and removed to this place in 1808, when, where is now a flour-
ishing village, there existed but a few scattered tenements of
rude construction, and an almost unbroken primeval forest. To
its subsequent growth and advancement he contributed in a

EATON. 319

great degree. We behold on every side the e^idences of his
activity, enterprise and liberality. He gave largely, unstint-
ingly, and bestowed his time and services freely, to wiiatever
tended to the promotion of the welfare of the place.

Mr. IJicknell received repeated evidences of the confidence
of his fellow citizens. Much of his life has been spent in public
service. In 1812 he was elected a Representative from this
County in Assembly, and in 18 14 he was chosen State Senator
from this then great western district. He also served in the ca-
pacity of County Clerk for five years, at first by appointment,
and, on the adoption of the amended constitution, by choice of
the people. In 1836 he was elected Representative in Congress
from this district, (the 23rd, Madison and Onondaga.) At the
close of his term, he was strongly solicited to become a candi-
date for re-election, but steadily declined the wishes of his
friends, and retired from public life.

In his private and business relations, he enjoyed a wide and
enviable reputation, not only throughout the county, but beyond
its limits. It was, however, as a iniblic man that he was general-
ly known. He was from youth, thoroughly and essentially a
democrat, and he adhered to his political faith with a constancy
and tenacity of purpose, which could only have been the result
of well considered and mature deliberation. His democracy
pervaded all his public and private conduct. It was clear, steady
and consistent. * * * * Blessed with a const itntion of
body capable of great endurance, and which was inipairefl by
scarcely an interval of sickness down to the day of his death,
endowed with a vigorous mind, a sound, healthy and sagacious
common sense, which rarely conducted him to wrong results ;
and moreover carrying into all his pursuits an energy and
activity which knew no repose, and an indomitable perseverance
which never relaxed, he was enabled to etifect more in the
moderate period allotted to him in this world, than most men
accomplish with the longest term of human existence. * * *
His was the generous heart and open hand for the j^oor man, as
well as for his more fortunate neighbor; a working man himself, his
sympathies were with the laboring classes. He lent freely of
his means to those who were just starting in life, and a willing
and an active hand in every public enterprise. He was a safe
guide and counselor, and it was this trait in his character
which acquired for him a hold upon the confidence and regard
of his fellow citizens, which cannot be appreciated but by those
who w tnessed it. It is in this respect that his loss is irrepara-
ble and his decease is a blow to community. Indeed there are
few among us of whom it may not be asked, in regard to the
death of Mr. Bicknell, ' Who hath not lost a friend .? '

Let us add to the above that the private character of Mr.

320 T^IADISON COUNTY.

Bicknell was such as may be commended without reserv^e. It
was unsullied even by the breath of suspicion. His inter-
course with his fellow men in all the relations of life were
marked by justice, propriety and benevolence. With a vigilant
attention to his own character and rights, he blended a con-
stant observance of the courtesies of life, and a habitual regard
for the feelings of others. He has descended to the grave, not
only, it is believed, with scarcely an enemy, but enjoying the un-
qualified love of all who had the happiness to become his
friends. * * * Long, very long, if ever will it be, before
the breach occasioned by his loss will be repaired His funeral
was attended by the entire population, and a large number of
citizens from abroad. It was an immence concourse, and
testified more eloquently than words, to the estimation in which
the deceased was held."

Judge Holmes. — Epenetes Holmes was born in Ame-
nia, Dutchess County, N. Y., December ist, 1784, and in
1795 removed with his parents to Pittstown, Rensselaer
County, where his father pursued the hatter's trade. His
early educational advantages were quite limited, as he never
attended a day school after he was eleven years of age.
During his twelfth year he had the privilege of attending an
evening grammar school ; the residue of his education, as
well as the earlier part of his legal studies, were prosecuted
evenings, after the close of a good day's work. In the office
of Hon. Herman Knickerbocker he completed his studies,
and was admitted to the practice of law as an attorney in
the Supreme Court, in Shaghticoke, Rensselaer County, in
the year 1809, where he remained until March, 181 7, when
he removed to Morrisville, Madison County. There he re-
mained till his decease, which occurred in 1861, when in
his 77th year.

Judge Holmes continued the practice of law, opening a
law office in this village, on his removal here. He received
repeated marks of public confidence by being called to fill
official stations. Soon after his removal here, he was ap-
pointed Justice of the Peace ; he was subsequently, for
several years, Clerk of the Board cf Supervisors, and for

EATON, 321

ten years was one of the Judges of the Court of Common
Pleas, of this county. In all of these positions he dis-
charged his duty faithfully, and to general satisfaction. As
a lawyer, he won golden opinions, and great confidence was
reposed in his ability and sound judgment as a counselor.
He enjoyed a fame worthy of emulation.

For many years Judge E. Holmes was an influential
member and officer of the Congregational Church, of this
village, until age and bodily infirmities compelled him to
withdraw from active life. In the various social and busi-
ness relations, he ejoyed the esteem of his fellow citizens,
and, at the close of a long life, left behind him an irre-
proachable name.

Judge Gaston, as he was familiarly known, came to this
place from New England in the year 1800, when the coun-
try was almost an unbroken wilderness, and resided here
from that time until his decease. In 1804, he opened the
first store in the village, on the line of the old State Road ,
and afterwards, when the turnpike was constructed, at the
junction of Main and Eaton streets. On the organization
of this town, in 1807, he was chosen Town Clerk, which
office he held for nearly twenty years ; he also represented this
town repeatedly in the Board of Supervisors, and for many
years discharged the duties of Justice of the Peace. Pie
was at one time a Judge in the Court of Common Pleas. His
ability and great probity secured him the confidence of all.

Judge Gaston was a man of unassuming manners, and
in all the relations of life, justly esteemed for his sound
judgment and unbending integrity ; and we believe we can
truly say, that it is the willing tribute of all who have known
him during his sixty years' sojourn in our community, that
he was emphatically the " noblest work of God " — an honest
man. Judge David Gaston died November, i860.

Otis P. Granger came to Morrisville fifty years ago.
u

322

MADISON COUNTY.

He was a young man of talent, and soon gained an enviable
place in public favor. He was the first Surrogate of Madi-
son County from the town of Eaton ; was appointed April
13, 1827, and served thirteen years. He was one of the
active public-spirited men of his time. Being a man of
keen perception and ready wit, he was well calculated to
relish the contests of the political arena of the days long
past. Judge Granger yet resides in Morris ville, enjoying a
hale old age.

Lawyers. — Among the lawyers of Morrisville who have
exerted a wide influence, and won an enviable reputation
for success, A. Lawrence Foster deserves mention. He
opened an office here at an early day. At first being some-
what successful, he resolved to change his location for one
more propitious, when an unexpected incident roused his
energy, and he decided to remain, and at all hazards win
himself a position. Political contests — Foster was a Whig
— served to strengthen his indomitable will. He became
one of the successful lawyers of his time ; was generally
pitted against Hubbard & Stower in important cases. A.
L. Foster was elected to Congress from the 23d Congres-
sional District in 184 1. A. S. Sloan, formerly County Clerk
and lawyer, studied law with Foster. Duane Brown, Esq.,
another successful lawyer of that day, succeeded Mr. Fos-
ter. Mr. Brown was an able and popular advocate. He
continued in business here till his death. Sidney T.
Holmes, son of Judge Epenetes Holmes, opened an office in
Morrisville and acquired success and a wide reputation of
being an aNe and safe counselor. He was elected County
Judge in 185 1, and served twelve years. He was elected to
Congress from the 22d District in 1865. He has recently re-
moved to Bay City, Michigan, where a new field invites him
to continued success. Charles L. Kennedy commenced
here as a student with Duane Brown, Esq., in 1845 ; was
admitted to the bar in 1847, and remained in company with

EATON.

323

Mr. Brown till the fall of 1849, when he went to Chitte-
nango, having formed a co-partnership with William E.
Lansing. He remained there till 1856, when Lansing was
elected County Clerk, and Mr. Kennedy took charge of the
office as Deputy. At the close of the term, 1858, Mr. Ken-
nedy was elected County Clerk, and at the expiration of his
term formed a co-partnership with Judge S. T. Holmes.
In 1867, C. L. Kennedy was elected County Judge and
Surrogate, and as an evidence of the high estimation in
which his services were held, he was re-elected to that posi-
tion in 1 87 1. Nathaniel Foote, Esq., has been a practicing
lawyer since 1845, in Morrisville. He was from Chenango
County, of the family of Footes well known in the public
annals of that county. Alexander Cramphin, attorney and
counselor-at-law, who was elected County Clerk in 1868,
and Lucius P. Clark, Commissioner of Pensions, have well
sustained law offices, and are long established in the confi-
dence of the citizens. Several recent firms have been added
to the ranks of the profession in Morrisville, some of them
already winning golden opinions from their predecessors.

WEST EATON.

Thomas Fry, Stephen Cornell, Perry Burdick, Barry
Carter and David Darrow, earliest located on lands
which are now occupied by West Eaton village.
Thomas Fry built his dwelling on the corner where is now
the store of Smith & Bedell. David Darrow's large farm
took in much of the site of the present village, and his farm
house was situated very near where the road runs between
the large house of Alvin Wadsworth and the cheese factory.
Thomas Fry built a saw mill where stands the factory of
Barnes, Mitchell & Howe. He, afterwards, in company
with William Hopkins, built a grist mill on the same spot.
The first tavern was built by Isaac Sage, very near where Mrs.
Wellington's residence is, between her house and Richard-
son's Hotel. Barry Carter kept tavern here after Mr. Sage,
In the house built by Mr. Fry a Mr. Dunham kept the first

3-M

M.VP180N COrNTV.

sioiw ho voociviug' his i;oods ot\ oouunission tVoiu the house
v>t V\>ivman & Co., of Ca^onovia. This primitive store,
which was a double house, one jxirt use«.i tor a store, the
other for the family, would sc;uvely bear eomparison with
the line building of its suoeessor, the Snuth ^ Reviell store,
vet it was quite serviceable for its vlay.

The i^kaueateles turnpike induced more rapid settlement,
and the adjacent cx>untry was being inhabited, but years
[Mssevi while the village wms very slowly grv>wing\ The
pev>ple were busy clearing up their thrms. looking after the
needs of society, nourishing their district schools and intant
churehes. Otherwise all of men's phN-sical strength was
employevi in re\lucing nature to a srate wherenn it would
serve the wMuts and necessities of lite. We are scarcely
able to understand the discomforts they e-xperienced and
the hai\ishi^vs they endurexi. The comforts of a primitive
schvx^l house with the first trial of a stove, was given by an
old lady who herself has known the changes of more than
threv score \x\vrs^ The school ^xirticularixevi wms kept west
of this villagx^ in the year iSio. by a Mr. Hubbard. The
district had built a new frame school house, and, as sto\-es
wxnx^ cv>ming in fashion, they had dispensevi with the lire-
place in building their bouse. In school meeting the merits
of the tew* p;\tterns of stoves e-xtant were duly discussed. A
neighboring district had uscvi what was calleii the *' porash
kettle sto\x\" and this schvx>l meeting decided to test its
merits. Accoaiingly a p^^rash kettle, in which the black-
smith had constructed a door, and an outlet for pipe, was
haulcvl to the sohov>I room, turnevi o\"er a cireular brick
platform, and made tight around the Cvlg-e with p'.aster.
This unique stove was tound of surticient capacity to receive
a largv amount of fuel ; but it had not a gcxvi draft, and
consequently three or tour hours of wintn,- weather passed
each djiY before its massive skies became hot. and then it
increwsed in heat to the superiati\"e degree, which was now
as intcvlenible as the cold had Iven. Grateful indeed was

I'.ATON. ^2^

ll)c chill wintry air from llic door widely thrown opf-n, lo
the hiiniiii^ checks and achin}^ heads of schol.'irs, who, hnf.
a few hours before had v.iinly endeavored to niiti|.'^;ite the
ji.iins of their chilling feet. Thus the school siidcKtd
throu^di tj)al lon^ winter, and it is inch^ed a matter of won-
der, liow, iir)der snch untoward circumstances the children
of that f^cncration were ahle to store aw.i.y sr) mneh .soiiik!
ktiowh;dt^e as we see e;(etri|>lifi(;d in their later lives. We
infer, however, that the j^oofl sense of th(;ir parents added
and etir()in;i|M-d iin|)roveni(;n1s ;'S their rMe.'ins woidd per-
mit ; sidlice it to s;iy that this kind of stove w.is not u'.e'l a
second term.

West ICaton, or " Leeville," as it was called, horn I'liilip
J.ee, one of the early itin keep(.'rs, made hut little advar)ce
as a villaj^e before tH^c), h.ivin^ then but a do/.en hous(-s,
one store, a hotel, a saw mill, ^rist mill, carding and cloth
dressing works. In the forests round about, was ^rowinf^
the timber, in the quarry lay the stone, anrl in widely sepa-
rated places lay other raw material, which the future should
bring together to build the manufacturing works, the
churches, and the niunerous fine dwellings of this thriving
vill.ige. Most of those twelve houses are yet standing.

Jos(;ph Iv l);i.rrow kept the only store, in tin; house now
belonging to Mr. hjios, near the fountain. I'hc wool card-
ing anfl cloth dressing works were owned and operated by
Abner Isbell, and W(.'re locnled on the site of the present.
woolen mill of IJarnes, Mitchell & Howe. In that day of
stage travel, the tavern was the most busy institution of the
place. The old tavern had disappeared and a new f>ne, the
present hotel, had been built by Major Smith, as early as
1.S30, and was kept by Calvin Wellington, After 1H40, a
new impulse seemed to enter every department of business.
Joseph \i. Harrow built his house east of the L. Wellington
store in 1842, and built this store in 1845. f" '^43> ^^1^'
Methodist church was built. In 1H45, A. Y. .Smith built
the hrst wofjlen faclfjry. lie commenced with two sets of

326 MADISON COUNTY,

woolen machinery, and a lively business was transacted for
a time under the firm name of A. Y. Smith & Son. He
built the present Chubbuck store, the factory boarding
house and some of the dwellings. The mill was burred in
1852. By assistance rendered among the citizens, Mr.
Smith rebuilt immediately, went on with the works, but
finally, during the financial crisis of 1857, failed. The works
were next run by Churchill & Gilmore ; Dr. G. B. Mowrey
became one of the firm about i860 ; for a short time it was
under the firm name of Mowrey & Smith ; Joseph Hun-
toon was subsequently added to the firm, and Smith with-
drew. In 1862, while Mowrey & Huntoon were proprietors,
the mill was again burned. They immediately rebuilt, com-
mencing, through the assistance of the citizens, the neces-
sary preparations the next day after the fire. In every
respect the new factory was built on a better and more ex-
tensive plan than the former. It was given the name of the
" Monitor Mill." The mill continued under the firm name
of Mowrey & Huntoon till the summer of 1871, when Mr.
J. C. Greene entered the firm. Mr. Huntoon withdrew,
and removed to Flint, Mich., becoming proprietor of a
woolen mill there. The woolen mill of Mowrey, Greene &
Co. run five sets of machinery, employing about ninety-five
hands, and turn off 4,500 yards per week of the finest qual-
ity of doeskins and other styles of gentlemen's dress goods.
The " Eureka Mill," Barnes, Mitchell & Howe, present
proprietors, was originally built on a limited scale, doing
only carding and custom work for several years. In
i860, Otis Barnes was proprietor. About 1862, the
co-partnership of Barnes & French was formed. In
1863, they built anew, their business having so increased as
to require them to occupy both the old and the new build-
ing. French having retired from the firm, James Mitchell
succeeded. The firm of Barnes & Mitchell has continued,
with the addition of H. C. Howe in 1870, up to the present
time. They manufacture superior woolen goods, consisting

EATON. 327

of cassimeres, plain cloths, doeskins, flannels, such as shirt-
ing and sheeting, &c. They run about three sets of ma-
chinery and employ about seventy-five hands. Both the
Monitor and Eureka mills, and also the Alderbrook woolen
mill, manufactured " army blue " exclusively, during the war
of the Rebellion.

About 185 1, Asa Walden built the west tavern which is
now used for a tenement house. The upper story is con-
verted into the Good Templars Hall, and which is also
used by the Free Masons, when they convene in this vil-
lage. The store now owned by Smith & Bedell, was built
by J. E. Darrow & Son about i860. Some two or three
years later the store now owned by Hamilton Brothers,
was built. They have enlarged the store considerably, at
different times, since they commenced business. The
Pennock store, where the drug store and shoe shop is, was
built at a late date. The meat market was built in 1871.

The Baptist Church was built in 1853, the new Metho-
dist Church was built in 1869, the new parsonage in 1870.
Within the last ten years those good buildings and fine
residences on Main street, and those around and in the
vicinity of the park, have been erected. The Park was
laid out in 1870, in the south part of the village; it
promises to be a feature of great attraction. Within two
years, five new streets have been laid out, besides those
around the park, and buildings are constantly being
erected upon them. The Fountain was built in 1868.

West Eaton now numbers four dry goods stores, viz :
Smith & Bedell, L. Wellington, Hamilton Brothers and
Dwight Chubbuck ; one shoe shop, a blacksmith shop,
Hakes 81 Isbell's Express office, N. J. Miller, artist, a millin-
ery shop, dressmaker's shop, tailor shop, meat market,
restaurant, &c., &c., besides the hotel, the two factories,
the two churches, public hall, and the Union School which
employs two teachers.

The substantial prosperity of the manufactories together

328 MADISON COUNTY.

with the public spirit of the leading citizens have been a
means of progress in West Eaton. To David E. Darrow
more than to any other individual is due recent marked
changes and improvements. Being the owner of much
laud in and about the village, he is, by laying out new
streets, fast bringing it into available condition for building
lots. To his enterprise is due the park and all the new
streets in that vicinity. By his skillful management, and
the co-operation of those of kindred tastes and public spirit,
many pretty, and some elegant houses adorn those streets.

From the location of George Andrews' residence near
the park, a fine view is had of Eaton street bordering
Alderbrook pond, and of this pretty sheet of water, and
the adjacent meadows, woodland hills and ravines. From
here you see a small knoll, up across from the bridge, at the
head of the pond, where bushes grow around the ancient
cellar of what was once a dwelling, last inhabited by an
aged squaw, of whom Fanny Forester gracefully writes in
one of her Alderbrook sketches — "Under Hill Cottage."
This squaw bore the unpoetic name of Hannah Konkerpot.
While she tenanted the house, it caught fire and was
burned. After a season Hannah disappeared from this
vicinity. She was said to be about one hundred years old.
Across the pond from the same view, is to be seen Under
Hill Cottage. In full view of here, three persons were
drowned in Alberbrook pond the i8th of May 1872 ; they
were Conrad Betz, and his daughter Fannie aged 1 1 years,
and Miss Emogene Tousley aged 16 years. Seldom has
any affair created so great an excitement as this, in the
whole community, far and near. In West Eaton Cemetery
their head stones may be seen not far from the grave of
Willie Greene, son of J. C. Greene, who was drowned in
the same pond one year before.

West Eaton Lodge, No. 94, I. O. of G. T., was organized
in 1866. To the young people of West Eaton this society
has been of incalculable benefit. It has been remarkably

EATON. 329

prosperous, averaging a membership of seventy-five. To
David M. Darrow, the Lodge accredits, in a great degree,
the steady prosperity of the Order in this place. From
the first, to the present, he has exercised a judicious care
for its concerns, and a paternal interest in the young men
connected with this institution. Others, who have belonged
to it at different periods, have been earnest and efficient co-
workers in redeeming the land from intemperance, and in
keeping the young from its baneful influence.

An old burying ground, perhaps the oldest in the town,
is situated about a mile west of this village, on the hill.
Here the earliest inhabitants were buried. Many are re-
moved to the new cemetery in the village. But few stones
are here to mark the spot where lie buried so many.

One of the first taverns of the Skaneateles Turnpike was
built on the road where it crossed the present location of
the Eaton Reservoir. It was built by Solomon Stone ;
was for many years kept by Mr. Dunham, and was known
far and wide as the old Dunham stand. The last landlord
was Mr. Emmons, about 1833. The land where it stood,
together with a large piece of the farm of David Welling-
ton, was purchased by the State for the reservoir, and when
completed, the valley and tavern site were submerged. In
very dry seasons the ruins of the old inn may be discovered.
We sometimes wonder if the aqueous element has erased
all traces of the busy life which once made vocal those
ancient walls, or if the spirit of past scenes still clings to
them in their submarine home.

David Darrow, Esq., the pioneer, was father of the large
Darrow family who are prominent in West Eaton. At the
time of his death the subjoined sketch was published :

One by one the last of our pioneers are moving from off the
stage of action. Of this number was David Darrow, who died

330 MADISON COUNTY.

at West Eaton on the morning of Nov. 5, 1870. He was born
in New Lebanon, Columbia County, N. Y., in the year 1782.
Through the days of his bo3'hoocl and youth he received the
principles, virtually, of a thorough New England training, which
prepared him for a vigorous and self-reliant manhood ; just the
material requisite for the pioneer. In the year 1808, having
married, he removed with a rising family from New Lebanon
to West Eaton. He had purposed removing hitherin 1806, and
had entered the town and taken up a small farm, and returned
to his family, when he was taken sick and detained for two years.
Just here we have an instance of the moral integrity of the man.
His doctor's bills were large, which he was unable to pay, so he
gave his notes, and afterwards drew wheat to Albany of his own
raising in Eaton, and with the money thus acquired, went to New
Lebanon and redeemed his notes, principal and interest. In
his straightened circumstances and the poverty of the new coun-
try, it took him twelve years to accomplish this, but the notes
which passed beyond all legal claim, with him, only insured his
obligation. In the course of years he added to his farm in West
Eaton, by the purchase of considerable land adjoining, and
which embraced a goodly portion of the site upon which the vil-
lage of West Eaton is built. Here, surrounded by his sons and
daughters, and descendants of the fourth generation, many of
whom are performing no unimportant part in the progress and
achievements of the age, he has lived the wisely-spent years of
an active, honorable life. He has witnessed remarkable
changes such as the rising generation shall never behold. He
has seen the majestic wilderness sweeping down to the verge of
the now busy streets of West Eaton, covering hill and dale,
which the hardy woodman exerted his utmost energies to sub-
due. He has seen this forest melt away, and green fields
and waving harvests take its place. He has seen the
hamlet of Leeville (West Easton,) with less than a half dozen
houses, grow to be a fine manufacturing village, busy with
its driving wheels, its artisan shops, its mercantile and me-
chanical establishments, and with its many homes and noble
churches, evincing the industry, enterprise and prosperity of its
people. In the early days of this town's history, David Dar-
row, who, for his pure principles and upright character, had won
the respect of the people, was often by his fellow citizens placed
in positions of public trust, and in matters of public welfare, his
council and co-operation were deemed essential to the success of
any enterprise. He was early chosen Justice of the Peace, and
in this capacity served the interests of the people many years.
The improvement and development of the resources of the new
country had his attention; the welfare of schools, and the fur-
therance of education for the masses received his cordial sup-

EATON. 331

port ; but the interests of religion, as the basis of law and order,
as the foundation which underlies the safety of society, and as
the power in the world from which all blessings, temporal as
well as spirtual, flow, this work claimed his chief energies. Him-
self and wife were two of the seven members who composed the
first M. E. Society of West Eaton, organized in 1841. He gave
the land' for the site, and gave liberally in building the first
church edifice of this village. He has stood faithfully by the
church of his aftection, shared its many trials, and has lived to
see it a substantial body, strong in numbers and in prosperity,
and to see many of the vile avenues of evil overcome by its in-
fluence. Last year, during the building of the new M. E. Church,
his heart was in the good work, and he then gave largely of his
means for that purpose. He lived to see its completion, and to
see a great harvest of souls gathered into its sanctuary. It
seems that he might, with Simeon of old, exclaim, " Lord, now
lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, for mine eyes have seen
thy salvation." David Darrow was buried on Sabbath, Novem-
ber 6th ; a very large congregation attended the funeral at the M.
E. Church, and a most impressive and instructive sermon was
delivered by Rev. B. W. Hamilton, from Job, 14th chap., loth
verse.

His vi^idow, infirm and broken with years, still lingers on
the shore of time, her serene face bearing the impress of
tender and sacred memories, and bright with hopes of the
better life.

As a family, the Darrows are noted for their energy, per-
severance and steadfast principles. Thrifty and thorough-
going, as farmers, which they have mostly been from their
remotest ancestry, they have acquired independence in this
world's goods, while their honesty and inflexible principles
have given them a high standing and influence in the com-
munity. Religious by nature, they have shown themselves
the friend of the church through all vicissitudes. Joseph
and George Darrow have been conspicuous in the M. E,
Chrch, both long time class-leaders, and J. J. Darrow, a
leading Sunday School Superintendent. (Note h)

Alderbrook. — About half a mile east of West Eaton is
Alderbrook, — celebrated in the tales of" Fanny Forester," —
the home and birthplace of the accomplished authoress,

332 MADISON COUNTY.

Emily Chubbuck, better known as Mrs. Emily C, Judson,
wife of Dr. Judson, the missionary. Her grandfather, Sim-
eon Chubbuck, came from New Bedford, N. H., in 1813,
and, with a family of ten children, located on Lot No. TJ.
For two years the family occupied a log tenement, and in
18 1 5, Underbill Cottage was built. This fanciful name was
not, however, given the dwelling until Fanny Forester her-
self applied the sobriquet. The cottage still remains as it
was built, fifty-seven years ago, but Alderbrook has mate-
rially changed within the last twenty-five years.

To-day, looking over the ground occupied by a factory,
with its tenement houses, boarding house, and other build-
ings connected with the works, it is difficult to imagine Al-
derbrook as it was in the days when Fanny Forester
indicted from here her charming sketches. From her pen,
in her " Alderbrook Tales," we extract the following picture
of Underbill Cottage and its surroundings, when in the
zenith of its wild beauty : —

" Come to Alderbrook, I say, in the spring time, for the
crackle of the wood fire by which I am writing might be music
which would scarce please you, and sooth to say our winter
cheer offers little that is inviting to a pleasure seeker. It is well
to take the turf when you reach the toll-gate at the foot of the
hill, for the road has a beautiful green margin to it, grateful to
feet sick of the dust of a day's ride. It is not a difficult walk to
the top, as I well know, having climbed it a score of times every
year. As you pass along you will find the road lined with berry
bushes and shade trees, now (it is spring, you know,) white with
their bride-like blossoms, and many a thick-shaded maple and
graceful elm will wish you had waited till midsummer, when they
might have been of service to you. Very hospitable trees are
those about Alderbrook.

" You are within a quarter of a mile of the village ; and now
the fence on the left diverges from the roadside, making a pretty
backward curve as though inviting you to follow it down the
hill. A few steps farther, and you look down upon the coziest
of little cottages, snuggled close in the bosom of the green slope,
with its white walls and nice white lattice work, looking amid
those budding vines, all folding their arms about it, like a living
sleeper under the especial protection of Dame Nature. Do you
feel no desire to step from the road where you stand to the tip of

EATON. 333

the chimney, which seems so temptingly near, and thence to
plant your foot on the brow of the hill over the brook ? It may
be that you are a sober-minded individual, and never had any
break-neck propensities ; may be you never longed to lose your
balance on the wrong side of a two-story window, or take a ride
on a water wheel, or sail on a sheet of foam down Niagara, or
even so much as put your fingers between the two-teethed rollers
of a wool carder. There are people in the world so common-
place as to have no taste for ' deeds of lofty daring.'

" There are eglantines and roses grouped together by the win-
dows ; and a clematis wreathes itself fold on fold, festoon above
festoon, in wasteful luxuriance about the trellis that fences in
the little old-fashioned portico.

" You wonder how any horse vehicle ever gets down there,
and may think the descent rather dangerous ; but it is accom-
plished with perfect ease. A carriage cannot turn about, how-
ever, and is obliged to pass up on the other side. The house is
very low in front, and has an exceedingly timid, modest bearing,
as is sometimes the case even with houses ; but when you see it
from the field side, it becomes quite a different affair. The view
from within is of fields and woodland, with now and then a glit-
tering roof or speck of white peering through the trees between
us and the neighboring village. The back parlor windows look
out upon a little garden, just below it, and beyond is a beautiful
meadow, sloping back down to the brook. From this window
you have a view full of wild sweetness ; for nature has been
prodigal of simple gifts here, and we have never been quite sure
enough that art would do better for us, to venture on improve-
ments. So the spotted lily rears its graceful stem down in the
valley, and the gay phlox spreads out its crimson blossoms un-
disturbed. There the wild plum blushes in autumn with its
worthless fruit ; the wild birch looks down on the silver patches
adorning its shaggy coat, quite unconscious of ugliness ; and the
alders, the dear friendly alders, twist their speckled limbs into
any shape they choose, till they reach the height that best
pleases them, and then they droop — little brown tassels pendant
from each tiny stem — over the bright laughter below, as though
ready, every dissembler of them, to take an oath that they grew
only for that worship. There are stumps a-plenty, marking
where the forest used to be ; and growing from the decaved
roots of each you will be sure to find a raspberry, or purple cur-
rant, or gooseberry bush, or at least a wild columbine, whose
scarlet robe and golden heart make it quite as welcome. We like
the stumps for the sake of their pretty adornments, and so have
let them stand. — (Would you know who zve and they are ? come,
then, at evening ; you shall be most cordially welcomed ; for the
kindly forbearance with which you have looked upon the first

334

MADISON COUNTY.

simple efforts of one there beloved, has made you quite the
friend.)"

From this fondly-cherished home, Emily Chiibbuck went
out into the world — the toiling, heartless world — poor, but
not friendless, for the warm hearts of kindred enfolded her
in their affections ; at one time a factory girl, for a time an
apprentice at millinery, and then entering upon the labors
of the district school teacher. The congeniahty of this oc-
cupation lightened the tasks which otherwise would have
borne heavily upon a fine and delicate nature, and it became
the stepping-stone to something higher. From here to a
position in the Utica Female Seminary, she progressed,
where in an atmosphere of appreciation and encouragement
her genius expanded, and burst into blossom, to astonish with
its beauty, and to charm with its freshness and fragrance a
literary public, sated with heavy love romances, and thirst-
ing for the fresh nectar sparkling from the fountain of a
pure warm heart. Her originality was marked, her genius
unmistakable. And so Emily Chubbuck, of Alderbrook,
became the gifted Fanny Forester, and the honored Mrs.
Judson, of whom all America was proud.

To the home of Fanny Forester the poor student might
well go on a pilgrimage, and there learn lessons of self-de-
nial and of perseverance, and there gather courage to strive
and win, as she did. (Note i)

The name " Alderbrook " is now applied to the little fac-
tory villa which has grown upon a portion of Mr. Chubbuck's
farm. The " toll gate " has been removed, and a convenient
farm house, owned by Mrs. Tayntor, stands nearly in its
place. The road, instead of rising over the hill, diverges
from the old route a little way from where the toll house
stood, and follows the stream at the base of the hill, passing
" Underbill " on the other (the "field") side. Where an
old saw mill stood on the stream, is situated the Alderbrook
Woolen Mill, a stone building four stories high, erected by
Morse & Brown in 1849, ^'"^^ which has for years belonged

EATON. 335

to Alpheus Morse, Esq. This mill, when in full operation,
employs about seventy-five hands, and manufactures the
finest quality of doeskins and cassimeres.

Along this brook road is situated the Boarding Hall, the
" Long Block " containing six tenements, and a number of
tasteful dwellings belonging to the factory employees. The
meadows where the " spotted lilly reared its graceful head,"
has been entirely converted into a long deep pond necessary
for the operations of the factory, but many alders still fringe
the brook in the gorge below the mill, where it tinkles as
gracefully as in the days of Fanny Forester. The high
hills on the north are scarcely skirted by forests now ; only
here and there are patches of timber land, spared only
through fear of future scarcity. The " hill " which rises
beyond the brook is still forest capped, and adown its sides
is a plentiful sprinkling of berry bushes as of yore. Un-
derbill Cottage is there, not changed, only as the rough
hands of time have defaced its beauty and spread over it
an aspect of age. The roses, eglantines and myrtle, which
crept over its trellised porches, have faded from earth as
have Underbill's lovely inmates, one by one fallen to sleep.
By the side of the old hearth-stone, one ol this affectionate
and gifted family, Miss Cynthia Chubbuck, aunt to Mrs.
Judson, still lingers, and her gentle hand has smoothed the
pillow of those who have come to breathe their life out un-
der the roof of home.

East of Alderbrook woolen mill is the Alderbrook grist
mill, which was originally the site of a wadding factory,
built by Amos Pettis in 1848. This factory was
burned in 185 1, and a large amount of wadding, cotton and
machinery were destroyed, making it a total and heavy loss
to Mr. Pettis. It was, however, soon rebuilt, and finally
converted into a grist mill which is now owned by Mr. E.
Hatch.

A few rods up the little stream which comes from the
north and empties into the Alderbrook just here, on land

336 MADISON COUNTY.

now owned by Mrs. Tayntor, there once stood a furnace.
In 1825, this furnace was owned by Chubbuck* & Marcy,
who manufactured the first cast iron plows of this part of
the country.

PIERCEVILLE.

In 1 8 19, Squire Samuel Chubbuck built a tavern here at
the corner of the road leading to Lebanon. For years,
during the period when staging and turnpike traveling made
profitable business for landlords, this tavern enjoyed pros-
perity with others. Luke Hitchcock was then owner of the
" Company Hill," and much of the other land of the prem-
ises now belonging to the Pierceville Factory Company,
He built the small house on the north side of the creek,
west side of the road, where he lived many years, and died.
The house on the east side of the road opposite him, (now
owned by Amos Hammond,) was built by Seth Whitmore
as early as 1820. The stately apple trees here, were
brought by Mr. Whitmore on his back from the Taylor farm,
in Lebanon, about the same time. They are common fruit
and yet bear abundantly.

About 1825, David Rogers built a small cotton factory
where the carpenter shop and planing mill of George Dun-
bar now stands. Sheetings and satinet warps were made
by Mr. Rogers. This factory in 1832, was one of the three
cotton factories which the census gave Madison County.
Mr. Rogers built two or three of the houses now embraced
in the premises of the present cotton mill, and also set out
the handsome row of maples which shade the streets. Mr.
Rogers married the daughter of Luke Hitchcock.

At a subsequent period John Brown purchased the Chub-
buck tavern, and as travel grew less and this business de-

*Samuel Chubbuck, one of the proprietors, is elsewhere mentioned as a black-
smith, and the first proprietor of the lower hotel in Eaton village. He was of
the Chubbuck family of Alderbrook. His son, Samuel Chubbuck, of Utica, is a
noted machinist of the highest order. He has made the fine mechanical work of
telegraphing a specialty, and in this department has won golden opinions from em-
inent personages, among whom is the Emperor Alexander, Czar of all the Russias.

EATON.

?>?>7

clined, he converted it into a dwelling, which is now owned
by his son Healey Brown.

The firm of E. & A. Wood, machinists, commenced here,
occupying the Rogers' factory buildings as a furnace and
machine shop, in 1845. They came here to make ma-
chinery for the incoming factory firm, J. O. Pierce & Co.
In 1848, the Woods removed to Eaton and estabhshed
there.

In 1844, Jonathan Pierce, of Hamilton, purchased the
premises belonging to Mr. Rogers, together with consider-
able adjacent property, which embraced the above named
" Hill," of forty acres, (half of it woods then,) and the farm
of Widow Sherman, on the east of the Lebanon road,
whereon was a superb mill site. During 1845, he built on
this site a factory for the purpose of manufacturing cotton
goods. He added, that year, several dwellings and a store,
and in January, 1846, commenced operations. Jonathan
Pierce died about 1850, and was succeeded by his son
Jonathan Osgood Pierce, who carried on a large business
under the firm name of Pierce, Cady, Crocker & Co. Mr.
Pierce, as the head of the firm, made extensive improve-
ments in building and otherwise, and spared no pains to
make it an attractive place. From an article written in
1856, descriptive of the pretty scene this place presented,
the following is extracted : —

" On the corner of the road leading from the turnpike south,
is the mansion house of John Brown ; a few rods from the cor-
ner is the newly built residence of Hamilton Cobb, the buildings
and grounds being arranged in an improved style. Descending
a short distance we reach the residence of J. O. Pierce, almost
hidden in its bower of shrubbery and ornamental trees. Its
walks, summer-house, spacious and elegantly furnished parlors
are often made joyous by gay parties from the cities and large
villages, who enjoy Mr. Pierce's unbounded hospitality during
the summer months. On the opposite side of the road is the
store of J. O. Pierce & Co., — the roomy Boarding House,
abundantly furnished, the green park of young maples, covering
about two acres of ground, and beyond them, almost hidden
from view, is the brown cotton factory ; the hum of its wheels,

338 MADISON COUNTY.

the pealing of its bell, the passing to and fro of hands, the
arrival and departure of customers at the store, which exceeds in
trade all the other country stores, altogether make up a lively
scene. Behind the heavy shade trees which border the side-
walks, are the factory houses, white painted, cleanly kept yards
and neat picket fences. The air is fragrant with the odor of
flowers and some ancient, white-blossomed locust trees. A wide
lane, or road, leads in among the houses, at the farther end of
which is a saw mill, and the planing mill of Geo. Andrews.
There is a blacksmith shop and a tailor shop. At the south
end of the village is a small white house, with flower adorned
yard in front, which is the residence of a lady physician, Mrs.
Dr. D. Chase. (Note/.) There is a neat white school house,
built in a style to accommodate the citizens with meetings. It
is well supplied with maps and apparatus, mathematical, astro-
nomical, &c., for a district school, and has a roll list of loo
scholars. Altogether the place has some thirty dwellings and
about 225 inhabitants."

During the financial crisis of 1857, this company failed,
and from that time to this, there has been a steady decay
of those valuable premises. Nervertheless, much business
has been done in the mill since. In the year 1868, under
the superintendence of John Dalman, there were woven
sometimes as many as 16,500 yards of sheeting per week ;
and during the six months following the first of May of
that year, this mill manufactured 460 bales, or 342,000
yards of sheeting. The census of 1855, states of this mill
as follows : — Capital invested in real estate, 1^15,000 ; ditto,
in tools and machinery, ^15,000; ditto, raw material,
^30,000 ; ditto, in manufactured goods, ^30,000 ; number
of persons employed, 63. The premises have been owned
by several different ones since 1857. H. M. Kent, who
was superintendent from 1848 to 1857, had the agency till
1866. Charles Pierce then purchased it. He sold in 1871-
The present firm is Nason & Co., of New York city.

PRATTS' HOLLOW.

John and Matthew Pratt from Vergennes, Vermont, came
to the north east corner of the town of Eaton, and settled
among the hills in a dense wilderness, the place afterwards
being called Pratts' Hollow, from them. At their first

EATON.

339

coming in they had but little money, and a cutter held all
their worldly effects. But they were enterprising men
and went to work with a will. After getting some of the
woods down and letting in the sunlight, they decided to
build a grist mill. They prepared their timber, and after
getting everything in readiiess, sent out for their neigh-
bors to help in the raising. No building was raised in
those days without ardent spirits ; and it is related, by way
of giving us an insight into the custom of the times, that
the Pratts endeavored to procure rum of Major Clough of
Madison, for the raising, but who refused to trust them, as
they had no ready money. The day arrived, and they were
in great tribulation because of their inability to procure
the one thing needful ; everybody would be there and the
reputation of their mill would be scandalized if they could
not do the " honorable " at the raising. One of the Pratts
confided his trouble to Col. Leland, who gave his order,
and forthwith Major Clough uncorked his cask, the rum
flowed, and the mill was raised with a right good will. The
location of this grist mill is about a half mile out of Pratts'
Hollow. It has, through repairs and rebuilding, been a
very useful institution, despite the circumstances attending
its origin.

The Pratts prospered. They soon built a saw mill, then
a large distillery which they operated for many years.
They had several houses, and built and stocked a large
store, and before 1825, built one of the first woolen mills of
the county.

The firm of the Pratt Brothers transacted a heavy busi-
ness with their grist mill, saw mill, woolen mill and distil-
lery, and at one time it was supposed they were worth at
least $60,000. They were energetic business men, had
large families, and altogether wielded a strong influence.
John Pratt was a wide awake Methodist ; used frequently to
exhort, being regarded as a gifted person in that direction.
His name was prominently connected with the building up

340

MADISON COUNTY.

of the Methodist Church in Pratts' Hollow, and also that in
Morrisville.

In time, the Pratt Brothers dissolved partnership ; after
that, their property, which had so rapidly accumulated
began to waste away. As one reverse after another
pressed upon them each, they became disheartened ; their
families began to scatter, and to-day their homes are in vari-
ous states of the Union. John and Matthew Pratt both died
in Madison County ; Matthew in Hamilton, at an advanced
age ; John died in Canastota a few years since, over ninety
years of age. The Fearons purchased the Pratt property.

J. F. Chamberlain came to Pratts' Hollow about 1809.
He was from Southwick, Mass. He commenced his manu-
facturing works with a carding machine and clothiery, which,
in the course of a few years, he increased to a small woolen
factory. He then built a small cotton factory where he
made satinet warps. About 1825, Isaac Peet united with
Chamberlain in business, and under the firm name of Cham-
berlain & Co., they built a larger cotton mill for the manu-
acture of sheetings. They also built several houses for
families, a boarding house, a store, &c. Mr. J. F. Chamber-
lain died in 1839 ^^ ^^^ ^S^ of sixty years. His son suc-
ceeded to the property.

The widow of Mr. Chamberlain still survives at the ad-
vanced age of ninety-two years. She resides with her
daughter, Mrs. Leland, in Morrisville. Her vigor of body
and mind is wonderful for her years. She relates with ac-
curacy her experience during the early years of their settle-
ment in Pratts' Hollow. When she came therein 1809. she
was a wife, and mother of four children. She entered with
spirit into all her husband's undertakings, and like the wise
woman of Solomon's time, who " layeth her hands to the
spindle and her hands hold the distaff," so Mrs. Chamber-
lain wrought some exquisite fabrics from the distaff and
spindle. One of the earliest fairs of Morrisville exhibited a
specimen of her handiwork, a piece of linen containing six-

EATON

341

teen yards, a little over a yard wide, which, when bleached,
weighed six pounds. It was made from long silken fibres
of the best of flax, hetchelled by her own hands and spun
by herself on a two hand wheel. Nine run, or 180 knots of
yarn, weighed a pound before weaving, which shows the fine-
ness of the fabric.

Between 1825 and 1840, Pratts' Hollow was a flourishing
manufacturing village, with the Pratts' woolen mill, the
Chamberlain & Co.'s cotton mill, the two boarding houses,
the two stores, tavern, and distillery. During these years
several different men and firms engaged in one or the other of
these manufacturing concerns, built up for themselves small
fortunes and moved away. Some are enjoying their gains
to-day, while others in their prodigality have suffered their
savings to slip away easier than they came.

Time changes all things, and gradually its changes came
to Pratts' Hollow, In 1852, the Chamberlain cotton mill
was burned ; the proprietors suffered a total loss, as it was
not insured, and did not rebuild. The little old cotton mill
has been moved upon the site of the burnt one and convert-
ed into a cheese box factory. The small old woolen factory
of Chamberlain's is now a cheese factory. The Pratts' woolen
mill has changed hands repeatedly and is repaired to be
again put in operation. H. C. Howe of the Eureka Mills,
West Eaton, used this mill during the war for making army
stockings.

This is yet a stirring, thrifty village, with one store, a tav-
ern, a woolen mill, cheese factory, saw mill, grist mill,
Methodist Church, and about thirty-five hofises.

About 1806, a number of Protestant Irish settled on
farms in and about Pratts' Hollow. These were theTookes,
Kerns, Fearons, Tackaburys, Philpots and others. Among
the different members of these families, men who have been
useful and influential members of society, we have the names
of Michael Tooke, Francis Tooke, James Tackabury,
George Philpot, Francis Kern, John Kern and George

342 MADISON COUNTY.

Fearon. Among the family of Tookes are two Methodist
ministers. Lambert Kern of DeRuyter, of the family of
Kerns, was appointed District Attorney in 1865. Edwin
C. Philpot* of one of these pioneer families, is Justice of the
Peace and has been the frequent recipient of public favors.
These are mostly farmers of the scientific and progressive
sort. Nathaniel Tooke, living in the north-east corner of the
town, ornaments the road sides along his farm by setting out
fruit trees for shade, thus evincing his thrift and liberality.

The Pine Woods Tavern was built in 1834, by Richard
Madison, who now lives in Binghamton, and is eighty-two
years of age.

Solomon Root, who settled at the town line on the road
leading from Pine Woods to Bouckville, was the first class-
leader of the old Methodist church in Bouckville, which
was originated in this neighborhood. Meetings were first
held in his house. Then he built the " Chapel," near him,
which stood on the town line, where meetings were after-
wards held. This Chapel is still standing, having been
converted into a dwelling, and is owned by Alonzo .Peck.

Josiah Peck came from Rhode Island in the year 1806.
He took up a large wilderness farm and built his first log
house east of the present tavern across the canal. His son,
Alonzo Peck, succeeded to the homestead, and made addi-
tions to it in purchases of land. When the Chenango
Canal was built through his farm, he built large store houses
and engaged heavily in the forwarding business, both here
and at Hamilton. Peck's Basin has been known to dealers
in produce and those connected with the trade, as the cen-
ter of a large business since the canal first opened.

The following extracts from a diary kept by Benjamin
Morse, the pioneer, are records of events, which, to an un-
usual degree, affected the prosperity of the inhabitants : —

*E. C. Philpot received the Republican nomination for Member of Assembly
or the 2d District and was elected Nov. 5th, 1872.

EATON. 343

"1809. July II, was a rainy day, which, together with rain
the day before and after, made a great freshet. Generally
thought there fell two feet of water all over this part of the
earth. The rain began to come on Sunday by showers, and on
Monday the 17th, it rained like a shower all day."

"1810. The night of July the 17th there was a great frost
The frost was so thick on the fences that it could be scraped up
by the handsful like snow balls. The grass was froze so, that
when cutting it off, there would scales of ice flake up an inch
long. The ice gathered on the scythe snath a quarter of an inch
thick. The leaves of corn and beans, squashes, cucumbers and
other things, were frozen stiff, yet but very little damage was
done with us."

"1816. June the 6th it snowed most of the forenoon. The
night after, the ground froze." [The following entry was made
afterwards.] "The years 1816 and '17, cold; no corn. 1816
was dry and cold. 181 7 was wet and cold. 18 18, wet in the
spring, and somewhat cold until May 20. Was then a good
season for corn and other crops ; very extra for hay. 1819, very
warm all the season. First frost Sept. 21. Some corn fit to
grind in August, that year. All crops exceedingly good, except
hay — that middling."

CHURCHES.

T/ie First Baptist Church of Eaton, was organized in
Morrisville, in 1809. The first meeting house v^ras built
almost entirely by Deacon Arowdell Lamb, the same year.
It was a small house, 20 x 30 feet. In 1826, it w^as moved
about fifty rods^ east of its first location, to the grounds
where the old church now stands ; it was subsequently
added to by building, completing its present dimensions.
February 17th, 1849, it was sold at public auction for ^400 ;
and February 20, the same year, the new and present
house in Morrisville, was dedicated. Mrs. Emily Judson,
and Dr. Dean and wife were children of this Zion. Rev.
Dr. Kendrick, Rev. Obed Warren, and other distinguished
ministers have been pastors of this church.

The Presbyterian Church of Morrisville, was organized in
18 1 7. In 1 8 17 and '18, the house of worship was built on
Its present location, at a cost of ^1,680. 44. Rev. Silas
Parsons was the first pastor. Some of the best talent of
the denomination has been employed in its pulpit.

344 MADISON COUNTY.

The MctJiodist Episcopal Church of Mon isville, was in-
corporated February 24, 1834, at a meeting held in the
court house. First pastor, Rev, Ward White. The church
edifice was built on its present location in 1835. It has
since been much enlarged and improved.

TJie Second Baptist Church of Eaton, was formed in
Eaton village in 18 16. Elder Joseph Cooley was first
minister. Rev. Nathaniel Kendrick was pastor from 18 17
to 1833. Meetings were held in the brick school house till
the meeting house was built, which was accomplished in
1 8 19 and '20. It was repaired and improved at an expense
of over ^1,200, in 1856.

The Congregational Church, of Eaton Village, was formed
in 1831. It rapidly increased to a large society. Rev. John
Foote was first pastor. His inaugural sermon was preached
June 8, 1833, being the first sermon preached in the new
house of worship. The town clock and bell were put up in
this church belfry in 1848.

The Methodist Episcopal Church, of Eaton Village, was
formed in 1856, from the West Eaton church. The meet-
ing house was built the same year. First pastor, Rev. Mr.
Hall. During the pastorate of Rev. B. W. Hamilton, in
1868, the house was extensively repaired. .

Baptist Church of West Eaton. In 1820, a society of
" Six Principle Baptists " was organized in this place, hold-
ing their meetings in the school house. Elder Shaw was
first pastor. This society divided, and from a portion of
the members was formed the Baptist Society of " Leeville,"
in 1834. This society was subsequently merged into the
church at Eaton. In 1853, the Baptist Church at West
Eaton was organized. First pastor. Elder Daniel Putnam.
The meeting house was built the same year.

The Methodist Episcopal Church, of West Eaton, was
formed in 1841, having then seven members. Rev. Mr.
Tremaine was first located pastor. In 1843, the meeting
house was built on the hill. In 1869, during the pastorate

EATON. 345

of Rev. B. W. Hamilton, a new edifice, costing $15,000, was
erected on Main street. The old church was sold for a
public hall. The Eaton village church was formed from
this in 1856.

TJie Methodist Church, of Pi^atts' Holloiv, was formed as
a class as early as 18 10. Meetings were held in school
houses for many years. The society continued to prosper,
although not large. In 1838, while Rev. Daniel Whedon
was pastor in charge, the meeting house was built. The
society has a large and excellent Sabbath school.

NEWSPAPERS.

The Madison Observer was removed from Cazenovia
to Morrisville by Rice & Hall, its publishers, in the year
1822. In 1824, it was published by Bennett Bicknell, who,
in 1839, purchased the "Hamilton Recorder," when the two
were consolidated, and became

The Observer and Recorder. In 1832, this passed into
the hands of H. C. Bicknell and James Norton, and in
1834, the latter became sole proprietor. In 1835, it was
changed to

The Madison Observer. In 1839, J, and E. Norton
became its publishers, and in 1856, Edward Norton, by
whom it is still published. It is the oldest newspaper in
Madison County, and has lived half a century in Morris-
ville ; it has a strong hold upon the affections of its long-
time readers ; the old families of the county, of whatever
party or creed, cling to the " Observer" as to "an old friend,
whose familiar face they have met each week for fifty years.

The Independent Volunteer, was started July 28, 1864,
by G. R. Waldron and J. M. Chase, In August, 1865,
it was issued by G. R. Waldron. September, 26, 1866,
it was changed to

Waldroiis Democratic Volunteer, and was moved to
Hamilton, where it is now published by Waldron & Son.

346 MADISON COUNTY

C HAPTER VII

FENNER.

Boundaries. — Geography. — Perryville Falls. — Productions. —
Ancient Route of Armies. — New Petersburgh Tract. — Mile
Strip. — Early Settlement. — Names of Settlers. — Experience
of Pioneers. — Indians. — First Improvements. — Early Schools
and Meetings. — Incidents of First Town Meeting of Smith-
field. — Town Officers. — Organization and Naming of Town
of Fenner. — Curious Names of Localities. — Fenner Corner. —
Perryville, its Rise and Progress. — Oren S. Avery — Chitte-
nango Falls Village. — Notices of Early Settlers. — Influential
Men. — Prominent Families. — Churches.

Fenner is an interior town, lying northv^rest of the center
of the county. It is bounded north by Sullivan and Lenox,
east by Smithfield, south by Nelson, and west by Cazenovia.
It was formed from Cazenovia and Smithfield April 22,
1823, It was given an area of forty square miles. Asa
town, no other in the county or counties adjoining, presents
a greater elevation, or lies nearer the clear upper air than
this. From one of the highest hills in School District
No. 15, extensive views may be had of the Assembly
District in which it is situated, together with portions of
Onondaga, Oswego and Oneida Counties. From the
generous bosom of her soil gushes innumerable fountains,
the sources of more and greater streams than any other
equal amount of territory in the county. In southern
Fenner, the main branch of the Chittenango, which waters
so much of Nelson and Cazenovia, has its rise and takes

FENNEK. 347

its circuitous southward course ; and down declivities,
numerous brooks hurry to join the Chittenango on the
west border of the town. Large branches of Oneida Creek
reach through Smithfield up among the Fenner hills, and
draw from their plenteous springs. The Cowasselon finds
one of its sources in the north east corner of the town ;
and the Canaseraga, rising in the center, takes a northward
course, passing from the town where Sullivan and Lenox
corner, at Perryville. Some of the most romantic scenery
of New York State is found on the line of the Cazenovia
and Canastota railroad in this town. Perryville Falls, on
the Canaseraga, are thus described in a sketch published
after a visit there in 1871 :

No one with any love of nature can afford to stop here
without visiting Perryville Falls, for nature is generous in
her wild and grand gifts. She must have been in one of her
sublimest moods when she rent asunder the rocks, scooped
out the debris and shaped the gorge, let the Canaseraga
drop over the rocks, and planted the luxuriant foliage. Our
way to the falls was led by a courageous young friend,
down the natural stone steps, out upon the platform, where
the path is perhaps some eight feet wide ; where the rocks
tower in overhanging piles above, and where the abyss is
fully 100 feet below. We were shown where once a man
had slipped off and lodged in the tops of trees below, and
thus escaped with his life ; another had climbed a slim tree,
growing at the edge of the precipice, and registered his
name high on the projecting rock above. We expected to
find successive flights of stairs which would bring us some-
where near the base of the falls, when our fair guide paused,
and passing a few feet beyond, we found ourselves at the
extreme limits of the path, on an overhanging rock, more
than one hundred feet above terra firma. From here the
view of the falls is very beautiful. The water plashes over
many jutting points, forming a series of cascades, 130 feet
high. The wild abyss, with its walled sides, protects its treas-

348

MADISON COUNTY.

ures of wild sweetness, luxuriant trees and shrubbery of
manifold varieties and species, and echoes back the music
of the cataract, and far along catches up the murmur of
the Canaseraga, while it is borne as peacefully along its bed
as if no wondrous feat had been performed in leaping from
the hights. Couched upon that overhanging rock we
viewed the scene with delight, wishing only that the
Canaseraga were four times as large that its thunderings
might shake the rocks ; then peering over into the abyss,
we took back the wish in very fear and awe ; then crept to
the walled side of the path, clinging close to the rocks,
thinking the while of the feeling of safety they gave,
typical of the marvelous confidence felt when trusting in
the " Rock that is higher than I." As we climbed the
last stair, the upper landscape was as quietly sleeping in
the setting sun, as if there was no yawning abyss close at
hand. Although we have our romantic hills and vales in
southern Madison county, yet, we commend the north side
of the ridge for wild scenery, and the well-appointed
Cazenovia and Canastota Railroad, which has opened a way
to these mountain fastnesses.

Extensive marl beds are found in this town. On the
banks of the Chittenango, calcarious tufa is quarried and
burned into lime. Geologists have remarked that this
region of country with its vast amount of excellent build-
ing stone, its inexhaustible beds of lime and water lime,
does not appear to be fully appreciated. The soil is a
gravelly and clayey loam, well adopted to the raising of
grain. Wheat, barley and wool constituted the staple
market productions for many years ; no town in the county
has exported so great an amount of barley, and nowhere
has greater attention been paid to its cultivation. The
" Hess barley " originated here.*

*In 1844, three heads of barley were discovered by Mr. David Hess, of Fen-
ner, apparently very different from the main crop which he had sowed ; these
heads were noticed during the progress of the crop to maturity and carefully pre-
served at the season of harvest. The three heads grew from one root -ind produced

FENNER. 349

Although one of the later organized towns, Fenner has a
pioneer history coeval with several of those organized at an
early day. More remote than its pioneer records, is an un-
written history of Indian hunters' encampments, and of
scouting parties from the warring tribes in their strategetic
detours to ascertain the strength and movements of the
Oneidas. Here vast forests offered them secure retreats,
and these elevated hights presented most favorable lookouts
over the plains of the Oneida country, (now the towns ot
Lenox and Sullivan,) above the woodlands, across the
marshy lowlands and incipient lakes, and beyond and over the
beautiful expanse of Lake Oneida. The curling smoke of
the wigwam ascending here and there above the trees of
the low country forest, would indicate to the watchful eye
of the enemy that the tribe was scattered about in the
peaceful avocations of Indian life, hunting, fishing, basket
making, or seeking the curiosities with which they manu-
factured their wampum belts, thus predicting to them a
favorable opportunity to descend upon and destroy their
villao-es. Failing to witness these signs, the wary adven-
turers would proceed with greater caution, treading the
lonely Indian paths with stealthy feet, watchful, lest a well
trained band of Oneidas should suddenly come upon them.
If tradition informs us correctly, organized companies of
white soldiery, have, in their marches, sometimes chosen the
highland paths in this town, in preference to the marshy
route of Sullivan. As long ago as 1696, when Count De
Frontenac made the attempt to subjugate the Iroquois, from
Onondaga he sent forward Mons. De Vaudreuil with six or
seven hundred French and Indians on foot to the Oneida vil-
lao-e to destroy it. Mons. Vaudreail made a swift march of the
'■fourteen good leagues" which lay between the Onondaga

a half pint of grain in 1845; this product was multiplied to 96 bushels in 1848.
The barley of this region now known as the "Hess barley," weighd about 50 lbs.
to the bushel; quantity per acre from 35 to 40 bushels; greatest or premium
crops, 54, 56, 66 and 67 bushels per acre. It is the two-rowed variety. It is
estimated that ten thousand bushels of this variety were produced in 18 5 1. — From
Trans. N. T. S. Ag. Soc. 1851, page 716.

350

MADISON COUNTY.

and Oneida Castles, notwithstanding their route was "in
the woods with continual mountains, and a multitude of
rivers and large streams to be crossed." We infer that the
route of " continual mountains " was made through Fenner,
Smithfield and Stockbridge, a road traversed by soldiery
three-quarters of a century later, traces of which, (so
runs the tradition,) in places here and there from Stock-
bridge to Fenner, were not entirely obliterated at the clos-
ing of the last century.

Passing out from the shadows over the history of those
far distant days, we gladly enter upon an era where we can
arrange our data, and make our statements with some de-
gree of certainty.

From a part of the New Petersburgh tract, and also the
Mile Strip, the town of Fenner was formed. The former
was leased of the Indians in 1794 and purchased in 1797 ;
the latter (Mile Strip,) was granted by the Oneidas, from
their reservation, to the Slate, and was called the " Cowas-
selon tract ;" it contained twenty-five lots in two tiers, and
lay between the Cowasselon and Chittenango Creeks. It
was purchased of the State in 1797 by Dr. Enoch Leonard,
and from the fact of its being a mile across it, was named
Mile Strip, this title having passed into all legal documents
pertaining thereto. Previous to these purchases, and in the
year 1793, it is said the first settlement of this town was
made in the western part of the town, in the vicinity and
west of the Fenner meeting house. As many of the first
settlers were transient inhabitants, soon gathering up their
effects to pass on to regions nea'-er the great West, so their
names are, in most instances, lost, and among those names
may have been that of the first settler.

It was not until Peter Smith had acquired possession ot
the New Petersburgh tract that permanent settlement be-
gun, the acquisition of a title to their homes being an object
of paramount importance to the pioneer. Among the ear-
liest settlers were Alpheus Twist and James Munger, from

FENNER. 351

Connecticut, who located about a mile south of the center,
Jonathan Hunger and Mr, Page in the north part, Elisha
Freeman, Ithuriel Flower, Amos Webster and Amanda
Hunger in the south part. Phineas and Abel Town, John
Needham, Thomas Gushing and J. D. Turner were also
early settlers. Arnold Ballou came from Rhode Island
about 1800. Joel Downer came in 1801 from Vermont.
He located in school district No. 9. Silas Ballou (cousin to
Arnold Ballou,) came from Providence, Rhode Island, about
1803 or '4, and located in the eastern part of Fenner.
David Fay came from Brimfield, Mass., the winter of 1805
and located on lot No. 16, a farm which had been previously
occupied, and a small clearing made by a Mr. Rhodes.
Thomas Wilson took up and cleared a large farm. A Mr,
Foster took up the farm south of Mr. Wilson's. He never
enjoyed the benefits of the toil expended upon his farm, as
he lost his life at an early day by the falling of a tree.
Samuel and Zat Payne took up farms north of the Cazeno-
via and Oneida turnpike, in that part of the town bordering
on Smithfield.

A company of Scotch families from Scotland took up
farms near the east Fenner line, between the turnpike and
the Peterboro and Perryville road. Among these may be
named Robert Stewart, James Cameron, Daniel Douglass,
John Robinson and James Cole,

During the incoming of emigration, Fenner received a
generous share of population, equal to ihe adjoining towns.
The salubrity of the air, its comparative freedom from the
noxious miasmas of swamps, the adaptability of the soil to
the culture of the more profitable cereals, were inducements
which overcame other obstacles. The population increased
more rapidly than some sections possessing better natural
resources,

Benjamin Woodworth, John Miles, Daniel Torrey, Jared
Merrills, Joseph Haynard, David Foskett, Hiram Roberts,
James Walker, Dan HcKay, David Cook, Truman Bee-

o:)-

MADISON COUNTY.

man, Lot Pickens. Solomon Field, Hezekiah Hyatt, Daniel
R. Baxter, Seth Smith, 2d, Oliver l^rownson, Seba Ensign,
Linus Ensign and Jonathan Bump, were early settlers ;
there should be added, also, the names of Barber, Gushing,
Dana, Dickinson, Davis, Eddy, Faulkner, Gordon, Hess,
Hill, Howard, Jacob Hungerford, Johnson, Jones, Keeler,
Loundsbury, Laird, Stafford, Sayles, Stoddard and Wilbur.

Samuel Nichols located on Mile Strip in 1802. He was
from Cazenovia, where he settled, with a family, in 1793.
He was originally from Albany County. The Nichols fam-
ily purchased a mile of land on the Mile Strip road, which
the father and sons cleared up into farms. But few of this
large family remain in town, those who survive being scat-
tered over the States of the Union. Drake Selleck was an
early settler. Russel Ransom came, in iSi i, from Scoharie
Gounty, and located near Perryville, purchasing a large
farm. Dr. Daniel Pratt, came from Massachusetts and
settled near Perryville, in 18 14; Lyman Blakeslee came
about the same time, from Paris, Oneida Gounty, and also
located near Perryville, on the border of Sullivan. In a
short time, four brothers and one sister of Mr. Blakeslee
located in Fenner, near Perryville.

In the west part of the town, near Ghittenango Falls, two
jNIerriam brothers took up large farms. Thomas Glay took
up Lot No. 8, now the farm of Galvin Mead. He had the
road laid out from the Falls over the hill, past his farm. At
the Falls, Mr. Asaph Hummiston, who came from Litch-
field, Gonn., in the year 18 18, took up 100 acres of Lot No.
7, and 100 acres of an adjoining lot in Gazenovia. His land
embraced the site of the Falls village. Joseph Twogood
took up and cleared a large farm on Mile Strip, bordering
on the east of the Ghittenango. He laid out the old Falls
road, which runs parallel with the creek on the east side.

Peter Robbins, Ned Fosdick and a Mr. Perkins were early
settlers in the west part of the town. John Ghase took up
and cleared a portion of the farm belonging to Atkinson's
JNIill, which lay in this town.

FENNER.

353

Among the first experiences of the pioneer is the novelty
of the situation — the dense wilderness, the route of marked
trees, the log domicil, the odd manners and peculiarities of
the Indians, the strange and sometimes fearful sounds of
the brute dwellers of the woods. Travelers and settlers,
when out at night in the wide stretches of forest, carried
their burning pine knot to keep wild animals at a respectful
distance. We are told, however, that Zat Payne, having
forgotten his burning brand while on his way from his home
to Silas Ballou's, one night, was attacked by, and had a
fearful struggle with a b,ar, but managed to escape with
his garments nearly all torn off. The hunters gathered in
force next day, and scoured the forest till Bruin was found
and killed. Deer so abounded that venison was a common
article of consumption ; small herds of these graceful, Vild
creatures came to the "deer lick," on Mr. Ballou's
farm, when, after having satisfied their thirst for the min-
eral or "brackish" water, they would gallop off to some
wheat field, scale the brush fence with perfect ease, and
revel in luxury till discovered by the owner. The deer
were considered troublesome neighbors, as no fence of that
day restrained them, and herds of from seven to twelve
made destructive work in the wheat fields.

The Indians, in their journeys through Fenner, some-
times stopped among the settlers for a day or more. At a
time when a company of them were emigrating to Green
Bay, they stopped here to rest and wash up their clothing,
although but a short day's journey on their way. They had
gathered their household effects into budgets, baked up
their corn and bean bread, had killed and cooked their hens
to take along, but brought their cocks alive to kill when
needed ; and driving their cows along, also, they were
equipped for the long journey, with all their possessions.
During their stay here, they engaged in pastimes highly
amusing to themselves. Cock fighting, in which the feath-
ered combatants were armed with steel spurs, and fought
w

!54

MADISON COUNTY.

fiercely, created real enthusiasm. The evenings were passed
in gay sports. In one species of amusement, particularly,
the hours passed right merrily : — The tawney company is
ranged in a circle, squatted upon the ground, around the
bright fire ; an Indian passes a pipe, from which each one
draws as large a whiff of smoke as his or her mouth will hold,
which is retained with closed lips. A sharp look out is
kept by the leader of the game, a§. the judgment falls on the
first one who laughs. Presently the smoke is seen to puff
from the lips of a luckless fellow, who cannot control his
mirth, and instantly, upon the signal, all are free to join in
the uproarious glee, and in the bastinadoing which the poor
victim must get, unless he can escape.* Other games, of a
kindred character are indulged in till a late hour, when they
dispose themselves upon the ground about the fire, in
blankets, to sleep, leaving one or two to guard the cows,
and otherwise act the part of sentinels.

For a season, between the first settlement and the erec-
tion of the first grist mill, there was often great privation
on account of the scarcity of the material for bread. Meal
and flour were obtained by the long journey to the New
Hartford mill, but so tedious were these journeys, over the
bad roads, and the resources of the pioneer were so limited,
that the supply fell short of the demand many times, and
various means to meet the necessity were resorted to.

The intercourse with their Indian neighbors was of a
most friendly nature, and from them they borrowed many
customs in their days of need. That most savory dish,
called " succotash," was an institution borrowed from our
swarthy friends, though improved upon by the culinary pro-
cesses of civilization, and the pioneers of this section did
not disdain to partake of a species of bread manufactured
after the Indian fashion. The large Tuscarora bean was

* This game was, no doubt, but an exercise to discipline the young Indian in the
control of facial expression, and that wonderful power of concealing or subduing
emotion, for which the race is noted.

FENNER.

355

boiled tender and stirred into Indian meal cakes, and thus
baked, making a loaf which is said to have been very good.
The Indian custom of pounding corn was adopted by every-
body ; and a sort of -hominy was produced by shaving corn
off from the ear, which was very palatable wh-en boiled ten-
der.

The grist mill built by Dr. Reuben Long, at Peterboro,
and Powell's grist mill in Fenner, were the first mills in this
region, and were both built previous to 1805.

The first saw mill was built by William and Arnold
Ballou.

So soon as the farms had been sufficiently cleared for
pasturage, flocks of sheep were brought in, upon which the
people made great dependence for their winter clothing.
The hand cards, spinning wheel and loom were busy in the
manufacture of warm winter garments. In time, a decided
improvement over the hand card came in the carding ma-
chine. It is true some conservative ladies of that day de-
clared that "the machines so chopped up the wool that the
yarn was not near as good as that spun from hand-made
rolls," yet the hand cards were quickly superseded by card-
ing machines, as they have, with the spinning wheel and
loom, in turn, been superseded by the woolen factory. The
first carding machine in Fenner was owned by Ebenezer
Wales, and was the only one in that section for many
years.

The first store was kept by Martin Gillett, and was located
a little west of Fenner Corners. The first tavern was kept
by David Cook, (afterwards Judge,) about one-fourth mile
north of the Corners. Upon the main thoroughfares sev-
eral taverns were afterwards built. The tide of travel made
each one a scene of activity, and became a place where
many congregated for amusement, and to learn the news of
the outside world from the constantly arriving travelers.
The practice of liquor drinking was too common to draw
down upon the head of the liquor seller any legal judg-

356 MADISON COUNTY,

ment or punishment therefor. Consequently, as a matter
of etiquette, every man should treat his friend ; and yet
among this people there were few habitual drunkards.

The changes made in the traveling world, by canals and
railroads, has closed the ever open doors of these numerous
hotels ; a neatly fenced dooryard is before the hopsitable
bar room, while the interior arrangements and appoint-
ments are now those of a well-regulated country farm
house.

The " Barrett House," so long an institution of Fenner
Corners, was built about 1825, by a Mr. Roberts, and was
sold by him to Mr. Anthony Barrett, who added to it.

The first postmaster was Ebenezer Dunton, the office be-
ing at Fenner Corners. It is said that the contents of the
mail bag were duly deposited in a sap bucket and regularly
overhauled on the inquiry of each patron, " is there any-
thing for me .''" The postoffice at Fenner Corners is the
only permanent one of the town, that at Perryville being
sometimes in the town of Sulhvan.

The first birth in town was a child of Alpheus Twist ; the
first death the wife of Alpheus Twist.

A large proportion of the pioneers were Massachusetts,
Connecticut and Rhode Island people. They brought with
them the staid habits, staunch integrity and religious prin-
ciples of New England. They planted the customs of their
ancestors in the soil of their adoption. Common schools
and churches sprung up in their midst as a necessary part
of their social, intellectual and moral life. The absence of
school houses did not debar them from the benefit of
schools. Any building, provided it shielded the pupils
from the inclemency of the weather, served the purpose till
more comfortable log school houses could be erected. Such
was the spirit in school district No. 9, where the first school
was held in an old potash, fitted up for the occasion.

A description of one of the primitive school houses will
give an idea of how our fathers persevered in the pursuit of

FEKXER.

357

knowledge under difficulties. Among the interior arrange-
ments of the log structure, was a huge fireplace, which
stood at the west end, capable of holding a half cord of
wood at once ; surrounding three sides of the room were
the writing desks, adjusted to the rough wall, in front of
which stood the uncouth slab seats, rough from the mill,
with long legs and no backs to support the weary spines of
the pupils. It is true, they might lean against the writing
desk, at times, which was a relief; they might, in case their
feet could with difficulty touch the floor, cross them and in-
dulge in letting them swing ; perhaps their teacher would
allow them to turn their faces toward the wall and lean upon
the desk ; in any case, change was a rest. Robust, muscu-
lar boys, restless in their confinement, surreptitiously tried
their jack-knives, first upon the splinters of the slab seats,
and after these were all smoothed off, used them in various
artistic accomplishments — in engraving figures, or their
names on the slabs ; and finally these operations were
transferred to the writing desk, which became a mass of
hieroglyphics, — horses, cattle and birds, and houses with
windows and doors, and chimneys too, out of which great
volumes of smoke were pouring, (this last done in ink,) and
other such wonderful characters as none but the designers
could decipher.

Then there were the low seats down before the fire on
which the little children sat, and which, when the great fire
was raging hot, were so intolerably uncomfortable that a
change of seats with the big scholars, who sat back in the
frosty corners of the room, was frequently necessary. In
this particular school house the large beam across the cen-
ter, some eight feet from the floor, made a gymnasium for
the large boys during the noon recess. A great variety of
wonderful exerci.-es and surprising feats were daily per-
formed here.

Amidst all the difficulties, the enjoyments were the
greater, and the pupils loved the old school house, and their

358 MADISON COUNTY,

well-worn old-fashioned books. Dilworth's spelling book
could be repeated from beginning to end by some of the
scholars, and the clear heads of the lads fully comprehended
the whole of Daboll's arithmetic, and were longing for more
complicated problems to solve in the mathematical world
as well as the great problems of the life before them.
The Columbian Orator, so often read and re-read, only in-
itiated them into the mysteries of a power they endeavored
to require in their declamations, and aspired some day to
possess.

And so from this school developed three physicians, one
lawyer, one minister, a score of good business men, and
numerous teachers. These physicians were Welcome
Pray, Federal C. Gibbs and Andrew S. Douglass ; the law-
yer, Lewis Pray ; the minister, Wm. B. Downer. Hon.
Robert Stewart, president of the National Bank at Chitte-
nango, and his brother, Daniel Stewart, president of the Na-
tional Bank at Morrisville, were, when lads, pupils in this
school. Joel G. Downer, for many years merchant and
magistrate at Bridgeport, and late of California, was the first
native of this district who engaged in teaching.

The first church of this town, a Baptist, was organized
August 23, 1801, with six members. Nathan Baker was
the first preacher and Truman Beeman the next. Meet-
ings were generally held in the school house at the Corners ;
sometimes in the one north of there. The meeting house
at the Corners was built by this society. In the cemetery
belonging to this church repose the remains of very many
of the pioneers of this section ; it is a lovely spot, with its
primroses, cedars, pmes and hemlocks growing here and
there among the old time tombstones, while a solitary ma-
jestic poplar stands near the entrance, a relic of the earlier
generations over whose silent remains it seems to stand
sentinel.

That part of Smithficld, now Fenner, had the honor of
holding the first town meeting for Smithfield ; it was held

FENNER. 359

at the school house, near David Cook's, near where the Fen-
ner meeting house now stands.

There was strong sectional feeling and a spirit of rivalry
between the inhabitants of the eastern and western parts of
Smithfield. Two tickets were nominated ; the candidate of
the east enders for snpervisorship, was Peter Smith, that of
the western men for the same office, was David Cook. Tlie
meeting was appointed April 7, 1807. During the few
days previous had occurred the " great April sjiow storm "
so well remembered by the oldest inhabitants — a storm the
like of which had never been known before. It ceased
storming on Saturday, when the snow lay full four feet deep,
and traveling was impossible. The western portion of the
town feared an adjournment of the meeting to Peterboro,
where Mr. Smith's influence would secure his election.
Should this storm prevent the attendance of voters from the
eastern part, David Cook would be elected Stimulated by
a desire to secure their ticket, the voters of East Smithfield,
many of them living six and eight miles from the place of
meeting, turned out almost to a man the next day, and by
hard labor and perseverance made the roads passable, and
manned such a force as secured the election of their own
candidate — Peter Smith being duly elected Supervisor and
Daniel Petrie, Town Clerk. After this a compromise seems
to have been made to hold town meetings alternately at
P^enner Corners and Peterboro. The town officers seem
also to have been pretty fairly divided between the two sec-
tions. Town officers were not then, as now, elected by bal-
lot ; the custom of voting was viva voce.

Among the regulations adopted at this meeting were the
following : " Voted that lawful fences shall be four and a
half feet high." "That no cattle, horses, hogs or sheep,
shall run at large during the winter months within half a
mile of any store, tavern or mill. That if any cattle be so
found the owner or owners shall pay damages with pound
fees of impounders." Also " that any person belonging to

36o

MADISON COUNTY.

this town, killing a wolf within this county, shall be entitled
to a bounty of ten dollars from this town."

In June of this year, Peter Smith was appointed first
Judge of the County Court, and David Cook, of this town,
the unsuccessful candidate for Supervisor, was, with Smalley,
Green and Payne, appointed Associate Judges. There was
life in the political men of the 3d Allotment, and the next
year Asa Dana, of that portion of Smithfield, was elected
Supervisor at the meeting held in the school house in Pe-
terboro, March i, 1808. At this meeting it was voted that
" sheep be free commoners," also that " the log house on E.
Hunger's farm be occupied as a work house for the poor

'and indolent." Arnold Ballon and Asa Dana were part of
the delegates from Smithfield appointed to meet with others
on July the 13th, 18 10, for the purpose of centering the
county, or in other words, for selecting a more central point
for the County Seat, the Court House then being in Caze-
novia. These two men, with Nehemiah Huntington, were
pledged to the policy of " not locating the County Seat at
present."

Not unworthy was the desire on the part of Smithfield to
secure the County Seat in Peterboro, and this policy of de-
laying the decision of location may have reference of the
hopes of eventually locating it there. In 18 10, Asa Dana
was again elected Supervisor, and John Dorrance, Clerk.
In 181 1, the town meeting was held at the school house

• near the Fenner meeting house, in which the officers of the
town of Smithfield were many of them, men of the 3d Allot-
ment, citizens of the future town of Fenner. Thus it will
be seen that, though the citizens of the eastern and western
parts of Smithfield did sometimes exhibit a spirit of rivalry,
yet on the whole a good degree of cordiality existed, and
the competition developed a wholesome strength. The pro-
ject of dividing the town was long talked of by a few, and in
1 8 14 a petition to that effect was rejected by the towns.
However, it still continued a subject of agitation, and al-

FENNER. 361

though at a town meeting in 1823, the vote against it was
carried by a small majority, yet in consideration of the fast
increasing population of this large territory, an act was
passed in Legislature, April 22, 1823, organizing the town
of Fenner. It was composed of the two western tiers of lots
in the 2nd Allotment of New Petersburgh, the whole of the
3d Allotment, excepting three lots in Cazenovia, and a few
lots from the 4th Allotment which border on the ("hitte-
nango ; this stream being made the western boundary of the
town in connection with that part of Mile Strip which
lies at the north.

The incident connected with the naming of the town may
be correctly related as follows: Col. Arnold Ballou, a
wealthy and prominent citizen of Fenner, was a devoted
admirer of Gov. Fenner, of Rhode Island. He proposed
to the people of the new town the name of Fenner and
promised the gift of a set of town books for the name.
Subsequently some ill-disposed person created the rumor
that Mr. Ballou had taken this method to perpetuate the
name of his son, whom he had likewise named Fenner, in
honor of his esteemed friend. This evil reflection on the
honesty of Mr. Ballou's intention so incensed him that he
withdrew his proposition, and the town lost her books.
Nevertheless the name was adopted in honor of Governor
Fenner of Rhode Island. The first town meeting was
held May 6th, 1823. First Supervisor, Daniel M. Gillett,
Town Clerk, Sardis Dana. At this meeting the town
voted $17 S ^or the poor.

Second town meeting March 2, 1824, Czar Dykeman
was elected Supervisor, and Wm. Doolittle, Town Clerk.
In this and in town meetings held thereafter, Fenner looked
well to her public schools and town poor, voting a goodly
sum for their maintenance. In one instance we find it
recorded: "Voted $1,00 pr. week to Job Perry, a county
pauper, instead of the usual amount of provisions." It will
be remembered that with wheat 50 cents per bushel, corn

362 MADISON COUNTY.

25 do., potatoes one shilling, and butter eight and ten cents
per pound, and eggs six cents per dozen, one dollar a
week was equivalent to four times that amount now. At a
meeting in 1827, where Nathaniel Hazelton was elected
Supervisor, and Sardis Dana, Town Clerk, it was voted to
" instruct the Supervisor to vote for the erection of a poor
house in Madison County, and also to raise our proportion
of the money for the erection of the same."

Appellations, familiar to the past, if not to the rising
generation, were given some localities ; one of these, in
District No. 15, bears the cognomen of "Mutton Hill."
Hon. Gerrit Smith foimerly owned farms in this district,
where he kept large flocks of sheep. It was insinuated at
the time, that some of his tenants, in their fondness for
good mutton, poached (as had the illustrious Shakespeare
before them,) upon their landlord's flocks ; hence the name
of Mutton Hill. The "Poor Lot," a tract of land on the
hill in the same district, was given by Judge Peter Smith
to the town of Smithfield, for the benefit of her poor. On
the division of the town, the lot was sold, and the proceeds
reserved for the benefit of schools.

Up to 1830, the enterprise of the population was on the
increase ; also, the ranks of the people furnished many men
of worth and talent, who have achieved success and won
honors in public life. The changes which have subse-
quently transpired in contiguous parts of central New York,
have, however, in a degree, affected enterprise here. The
great thoroughfares have enticed the business men to the
large towns, where the wealth of the country is concen-
trated. By the opening of the Erie Canal, the Chenango
Canal and the New York Central Railroad, the bone and
sinew of the country were drawn to other avenues of labor,
the result of which became evident in the decrease of pop-
ulation, visible in every decade from those periods to the
present time. In 18 lo, the population was undoubtedly
greater than at the present day. In 1825, there were 1,933

FENNER. T,6t,

inhabitants ; in 1830, they had increased to 2,010 ; but the
census of 1865 gives a population of only 1,387. The town
of Fenner, we should remark, is not alone in presenting
such a record, and it does not see^n encouraging, as the ma-
chinery of society goes on less spirited. Yet all may be
quite as harmonious, and the mass of the people equally as
happy. The large farms are growing more handsome in
their perfected cultivation, and labor-saving machinery un-
complainingly performs the work of the many. We are
prone to reflect, however, that inside of the snug farm cot-
tages of modern days, we do not hear the merry music, nor
see the cheery faces of large families, such as filled the pa-
triarchal mansion of fifty years ago. We pause in contem-
plating this subject, since our business is to record and
not to moralize, as we came very near doing just at this point.

Fenner Corners. — This point, near the center of the town,
appears to have been at first designated as the location of
the chief village; here the first enterprises of a centralizing
point began, and would have continued, had there been any
natural advantages ; but central Fenner being thus ufortu-
nate, and only adapted (but that pre-eminently) to farming,
it gradually faded as a business center, when the manufac-
turing facilities at Perryville began to be developed, and to
furnish the nucleus of a village. So Perryville came to
be the village of the town. In the days of the Oneida and
Cazenovia Turnpike, however, the products of Fenner,
transported over that once busy thoroughfare, were chiefly
gathered in from the various avenues to the " Corners,"
which made it, for a time, a lively little village. It had its
two taverns, a store, a post-office, various mechanics and a
church.

Chittenango Falls is a hamlet situated on the line between
this town and Cazenovia. It contains a post-office, store,
hotel and church. It is not an early built place of business,
the land where it stands having been formerly the farm of
Mr. Asaph Hummiston,

364 MADISON COUNTY.

PERRYVILLE

Has derived its advantages from the water power of the
Canaseraga. Although the stream here is not large, yet it
has a fine fall, and affords several mill sites. As late as

18 10, the site of the village was a hemlock wilderness. At
about that date, a Mr. Card put up a small grist mill, with
one run of stone ; it was situated on nearly the same site
now occupied by the mill of Edwin Crosby. Enoch Dyke-
man succeeded Card, and was for many years engaged in
the business. About 1835, he built the present mill. In

181 1, Abram Wendell built the saw mill now owned by Eli
Ransom, situated a short distance above the falls. Tyre &
Cole opened a store here about 181 1; it was located near
the bridge ; it has been converted into a dwelling-house,
and is now owned by James Robie. Enoch Dykeman built
the first tavern ; the same building has since been re-con-
structed, and is now a pleasant dwelling-house, owned by
Edwin Hamlin. The present tavern was built by Timothy
Jenkins, from thirty-five to forty years ago. Alpheus Britt
built up the clothing works ; this was for many years one
of the prosperous concerns of the village. A Mr. Glass
built a small tannery quite early. In 18 17, Oren S. Avery,
from Morrisville, purchased this tannery of Glass. Mr.
Avery was an active business man ; everything in his hands
flourished, and his prosperity increased. He built, in addi-
tion, a larger tannery and a boot and shoe shop, in both of
which many workmen were employed. About 1830, Eli
Blakeslee erected a large wagon shop, and afterwards added
several other shops, which were demanded by his increased
business in the manufacture of vehicles. The Episcopal
Church, the main religious society of the place, built a neat
and somewhat expensive house of worship. Thrift and en-
terprise were manifest on the farms about the village ; in
the school, the church, the workshop, progress was the rule.
Thus, the generations rising to fill the place of their fathers,
enjoyed fair facilities to fit them for their several spheres of

FENNER. ' 36^

usefulness. But, in 1836, there was a change; Oren S.
Avery died, and the manufactories, wiLh which he had been
connected, were closed ; Eli Blakeslee, the next heaviest
dealer, failed the same year, and then the controlling enter-
prises of Perryville were prostrate ; the place had received
a blow Irom which it was slow in recovering ; indeed, it has
never regained its former business status.

Perryville has, at the present day, two churches, a flour-
ing mill, two saw mills, one tavern, two stores and a num-
ber of shops. The C. & C. Railroad has a depot here. One
of the chief attractions of the vicinity is the falls, a descrip-
tion of which has already been given.

The pleasant Perryville Cemetery is a place of solemn
memories and tender interest, for here repose many repre-
sentatives of Fenner's most prominent families of the days
long past. It was laid out about 1818. Annis Blakeslee,
wife of Asa Blakeslee, Vv^as the first one buried here ; all
about her tomb are sleeping many of the once numerous
Blakeslee family. Here, too, are the graves of the Ehles,
the Storms, the Lansings, the Ransoms, the Colgroves
and the Hamlin families, some of whose marble head-stones
tell us that the sleepers were of the generation that popu-
lated these hills and redeemed the broad farms from the wil-
derness, and who toiled hard and patiently that the succeed-
ing generations might " come up higher." Here is the nar-
row home of Alpheus Britt and Nancy, his wife ; there
repose the remains of Othniel Brainard; yonder rests the
dust of Leverett Baldwin, Jacob Gillett, Czar Dykeman
and others, whose influence ceased not when their voices
were stilled in death ; and in a conspicuous place rises the
noble monument, reared by the hands of ailection to the
memory of Oren S. Avery, who was born in 1794, and died
August, 1836.

The first burial ground in this part of the town is situated
about a mile west of Perryville, on the road to Cazenovia ;
in this, many of the first settlers were interred, some of

366 MADISON COUNTY.

whose remains have been removed to the village Cem-
etery.

EARLY SETTLERS.

Joel Downer came to New Petersburgh in 1801. He
was a native of Pownell, Vermont, born in 1780. That he
was of the old revolutionary stock, his geneological record
proves, as we find that his father, John Downer, was one
of the heroic command of Gen. Stark, who fought the battle
of Bennington in 1777. He purchased his homestead in
Fenner, at Mr. Smith's auction, in Utica, in 1802. It was
located on Lot M, on the old Oneida Turnpike, about two
miles west of Peterboro. Here he commenced his married
life, for we find it recorded that he was married on the day
of the great eclipse in 1806, to Miss Lovina Risley, daugh-
ter of Stephen Risley, one of the early settlers of Smith-
field. Here, with industry, they prospered ; the wilderness
gradually disappeared and golden harvests waved in its
stead ; the cumbrous log barn of the first few years was su-
perseded by a good frame one, and the log cabin by a frame
house of some pretentions. Mr. Downer was notably ahead
cf his neighbors in the matter of 'building, and as his school
district (No. 9,) was an enterprising neighborhood, this get-
ting up in the world was somewhat envied. Mrs. Downer
has often mentioned a circumstance illustrating the ideas of
that day. Soon after their house was built, one of her pious
sisters in the church visited her for the purpose of giving
her caution against undue pride, on account of great worldly
prosperity ! Yet this house, so enviously regarded, is de-
scribed as being very plain, boarded, clapboard fashion, with
lumber a foot wide and an inch thick, doors and casings of
the plainest style and manufacture, and at the time of this
sisterly visit, was not even lathed and plastered ! In time,
however, it was well ceiled. The first children born in
school district No. 9, were twin children of Mr. and Mrs.
Joel Downer ; these were Mr. Wm. B. Downer and his sister
Mrs. Mary E. Johnson. Joel Downer spent the rest of his

FENNER. 367

life in Fenner, dying in 1864, at the ripe age of eighty-four
years. His wife, Lovina, survived him about two years,
passing away September 17, 1866, in the eighty-first year
of her age. We subjoin the following obituary notice from
the Oneida Dispatch :

" DOWNER— In Oroville, March 23, 1867, Joel G. Downer, a na-
tive of New York, aged 60 years.

Mr. D. was a pioneer citizen of Oroville. He emigrated from
the State of New York, and, during a long residence in Butte
county, filled various positions of public trust. He was tor a
long time the leading spirit of the party, and by his energy and
perseverance contributed largely to its success. — Oroville (Cal.J
Ex.

The subject of the above notice was born at the residence of
his father, the late Joel Downer, in Fenner, Feb. 8, 1807. Soon
after attaining his majority he located at Bridgeport, in this
county, and for many years engaged in legal and mercantile
pursuits, besides filling various offices by the favor of his fellow-
citizens. Some twenty years since he emigrated to California,
where he has since resided. Trained in the school of Jefferson-
ian Democracy, Mr. D. believed in the equal rights of all men,
" To life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness," and evinced his
faith by his works. His second son, Hiram K. Downer, was one
of the victims of the slaveholders' rebellion, dying while a pris-
oner to the rebels, of wounds received in the battle of the Wil-
derness. A younger son is now in the army, in Arizona Terri-
tory, ready to sufter, and if needs be, to die for his country. Mr.
D. leaves a widov/ and five children to mourn his death."

Robert Stewart, one of the Scotch settlers, was a deacon
cf the Presbyterian Church in Peterboro. He was firm in
the faith, as set forth by John Knox, his illustrious country-
man, in the days of " aitld lang syne." He was a man re-
spected by all who knew him. When nearly four score
years of age, a melancholy accident terminated his earthly
pilgrimage.

Alexander F. Douglass, also a native of Scotland, came
to this country with his parents at an early day. The fam-
ily settled in Lenox where they cleared a farm. Mr. Doug-
lass reared a large family in Lenox, and continued to reside
there till all his children, but one, were married and settled
in life, when he sold and purchased in Fenner. An obit-

368 MADISON COUNTY.

uary before us, but without date, states that he was born in
Scotland, December 5, 1807; tliat he was an active and
valued member of the M. E Church, and a worthy citizen.
He resided six years in Fenner and there died the death of
a christian, aged sixty-three years.

James Cameron, another of the company of emigrants in
whose veins flowed the pure blood of Scotland, settled ni
Fenner, and died there at an advanced age. Scottish intel-
lect, engrafted upon American soil, loses none of its vigor
in the latest descendants of these and other early Scotch
settlers of the town of Fenner.

Eli Barber came to this town when it was included in the
town of Cazenovia, in the year 1799, and located on Lot
23. He was born in Worcester County, Mass., in 1775.

" When a lad of fifteen or sixteen, a family in his neighbor-
hood were preparing to emigrate to this State, and he engaged
to come on with them, working for his board by driving the
oxen. He came to Oneida Co., and lived in Paris, Sangerfield
and vicinit}', till 1799, clearing some of the land where the vil-
lage of Waterville now stands. He was married Marcii 14,
1799, to Lovina Thompson, a native of his own native town, •
whose parents had emigrated to and settled in Madison. They
immediately came on to their wilderness home in Fenner, he
having previously bought izi.2 acres on Lot 23, of Peter Smith,
made a clearing, and built a log house. Here he lived fifty-two
years, in the meantime clearing up and improving his farm,
erecting fine buildings, &c. He resided ten years also in
Cazenovia village, but at last returned to the old familiar
ground to die. He passed away Nov. 30, 1869, at the great
age of 95 years, three years after the decease of his wife. His
son, Darlin Barber, succeeds to the old homestead."*

Mr. and Mrs. Eli Barber were converted in 1801, united

with the Fenner Baptist Church, and lived the life of

exemplary christians to the close of their sixty years of

married life. They had a family of fourteen children,

seven only of whom lived ; Mr. Darlin Barber and Mrs.

Amanda Hamlin, are the only two of those living in town.

Rev. Eli Barber, present pastor of the Baptist Church in

■'•■ From his obituary.

FENNER.

369

Fenner, is, however, a grandson. In the early days Mr.
Barber erected one of the first potasheries of this section
which for many years proved a vahiable institution to the
settlers.

David Cook came from Rhode Island and settled one
fourth of a mile north of Fenner Corners ; here he kept the
first tavern opened in town. He was an energetic, public
spirited and influential man ; was a Justice of the Peace
some years, and Judge of the Court of Common Pleas in
1806, which office he also held for a number of years.
His two sons, — David jr. and Reuben Cook,— were sub-
stantial farmers and respected citizens of Fenner, and
were often honored with places of public trust ; the former
was for many years postmaster ; the latter lived on the
homestead many years, then removed to Nelson, where he
died.

Daniel M. Gillett, from Lime, Conn., was an early settler,
locating a half mile east of the Corners. Although a
farmer and prosperous us such, he built and operated a
potashery and was for a time associated with his brother,
Martin Gillett, in a store, in Dist. No. 5. He was noted
for his activity, public spirit and business ability, and
stood high in community for his integrity and strict moral
character. He served as Justice of the Peace several
years, was Supervisor repeatedly, and Member of Assembly
two terms. His son, D. Miner Gillett, is a resident of this
town. A daughter married Jarius Munger, Esq., a lawyer
of Camden, Oneida County.

From 1820 to 1840, inclusive, the town of Fenner in-
cluded many men of superior mind and marked character ;
such were Dr. Sylvanus Guernsey, Oren S. Avery, Judge
Czar Dykeman, Asa Dana, Esq., Judge Sardis Dana and
Hon. Federal Dana.

Dr. Guernsey was a leading physician, a true scholar and
a christian gentleman. Several young men of the town,
contemplating a scholastic education, took their preparatory

370

MADISON COUNTY,

course with him ; by his high standard of honor and morals
were their plastic minds moulded. Dr. Guernsey's strict
fidelity to moral and christian principles is illustrated by
the fact that he would never perform any work pertaining
to his profession on the Sabbath, except to respond to calls
in critical cases, and then made no charge therefor.

Or'^n S. Avery's name is intimately blended with the
annals of those years, especially with the business interests
and the general prosperity of Perryville ; his public spirit
was most exemplary. Every worthy man, in his hour of
need, knew that Oren S. Avery was his friend ; his noble
heart and generous hand aided all worthy objects. In his
death, Perryville sustained a great loss ; and it is no marvel
that his memory is honored and cherished to this day by
the good people of that village.

Judge Czar Dykeman was one of the Judges of the Court
of Common Pleas, which post he filled many years.

Mr. Asa Dana was an early settler, and one of those tal-
ented and influential spirits who figured largely in all that
pertained to the welfare of his section. His name appears
often in the record of town officers. He was a man of high
integrity, of clear judgment and practical wisdom. He
purchased in the south part of Fenner (then Cazenovia,) in
the year 1800. The hardships of a pioneer hfe had but the
effect to call into activity the sterling virtues of patient en-
durance and persevering effort for success in pursuit of the
right. He had been a soldier in the revolutionary war, and
received a pension until his death, which occurred in 1845,
at the ripe age of ninety-one years. He uniformly merited
and enjoyed the fullest confidence of the community as an
upright, worthy citizen and sincere christian. Rev. Asa
Mahan, who was the first President of Oberlin College,
Ohio, and of late President of Adrian College, Mich., is a
son of his oldest daughter. The sons of Mr. Dana were
mostly farmers. The youngest, Lorenzo, was for many
years a prominent and successful physician in Alleghany

FENNER.

Z7^

County, N. Y., and was two or three times elected to the
Legislature, enjoying, from first to last, the confidence of
his fellow citizens. He died in 1869, at the age of seventy-
two, leaving Federal Dana as the sole survivor of the six
sons and three daughters of Asa Dana, the pioneer.

Federal Dana was born in the year of the first meeting
of Congress, under the Federal Constitution, and was
named in honor of that instrument. For many years he
was a practical surveyor, having for his motto, " impartiality
and accuracy." The most of the time during the last twenty
years of his residence in Fenner, he was one of the Justices
of the Peace, and, for two or three terms, a Justice of Ses-
sions. As a Justice, he rarely had a case come to trial,
almost always persuading the parties to make an amicable
settlement between themselves. His public spirit and good
abilities were marked aids to the general progress around
him. We learn that Hon. Federal Dana is still (1871,) liv-
ing, an honored and respected citizen of East Avon, Liv-
ingston County, N. Y. Sardis Dana, son of Asa Dana, was
at one time one of the associate Judges of the County. He
was a prominent business man, and always enjoyed the fullest
confidence of his fellow citizens. During his life, nearly or
quite all of the honors within the gift of his townsmen, were
conferred upon him. He was also a member of the Legis-
lature one term. For many years he was widely useful and
popular as a surveyor. L. D. Dana, his son, is cashier of
the National Bank at Morrisville.

Charles S. Hyatt was a successful farmer of this town.
He was frequently honored with town offices, although he
did not aspire to position. His large family are all of them
prosperous farmers, and settled near the center of the town.
George W. Hyatt, his youngest brother, residing west of
Fenner Corners, is the owner of one of the handsomest
farms in Fenner. Francis A. Hyatt, of Nelson Flatts, is
nephew of Charles S. Hyatt. David Hess was a prominent
agriculturist. Supervisor of the town, and for several terms

372

MADISON COUNTY.

Justice of the Peace, Col. Needham we note as another
prominent man of the early days, popular as Supervisor
and as the incumbent of various other town offices. Lewis
Keeler was another useful and influential citizen, possessing
excellent capacity for business. He was School Commis-
sioner, and held other offices. Nathaniel Hazleton was
also a prominent citizen some forty years ago ; was Super-
visor and Justice of the Peace many years. D. Eralziman
Haskell, now (1871,) a merchant of Cazenovia, also took an
active part in town affairs ior many years ; he served the
people as Justice of the Peace, and as town Superintendent
of Common Schools, and was some years since Clerk of the
Board of Supervisors. Enos Cushing settled in this town
early and continued to be a resident about sixty years. For
more than fifty years he was a surveyor. He was widely
known and as widely respected. Chauncey Hunger was
one of the earliest settlers, and one of the prominent men
of the days long gone by. He was living in Fenner in 1871,
at an advanced age. Col. Stafford was another early settler
of Fenner, who attained to prominence and usefulness. He
still resides in town.

DR. DANIEL PRATT

Was born in Belchertown, Mass., December 26, 1779. At
the age of twenty-one he came west to New York State and
remained three years. During this time he attended Clin-
ton Academy and studied medicine with Dr. Greenly, at
Hamilton, and with his brother, Dr. James Pratt, at Log-
City. On his return to Belchertown at the expiration of
the three years, he took a somewhat novel way of starting
himself in the world : His father furnished him with a
quantity of iron rods, and he set himself to work and made
1,400 wrought nails, with which he bought his first stock of
medicines valued at $34. He then went to the State of
Maine, in 1804, being then twenty-four years of age, where
he commenced the practice of medicine and remained ten
years. In i8o8, he married Mrs, Dolly Moody, widow of

FENNER. 373

Dr. Moody of Vasselboro. This lady had two children by
her first marriage ; Eliza, who married Aurelius Dykeman
of Madison County, in 1817, and Mary Ann, who married
in 1825, Col. Palmer Baldwin, an honored citizen of Nelson
Flats. In the war of 18 12, Dr. Pratt was appointed Sur-
geon in the U. S. army and served for a time. In 18 14, he
removed to Fenner and purchased the farm of Dr. Sherman,
two miles southeast of Perryville, and cultivated it in con-
nection with his extensive practice. He was an excellent
physician. He took a prominent part in politics during the
Anti-Masonic excitement, and wrote much against secret
societies, holding that their influence politically was danger-
ous. He was familiar with statutory law, was for some
years a Justice of the Peace, and School Commissioner a
considerable time, always taking a lively interest in com-
mon school education. In 1831, he joined the Baptist
Church in Fenner, being baptized by Elder S. Gilbert. As
the infirmities of age advanced, preventing the active duties
of his profession, he turned his attention more than form-
erly to farming. He died November 18, 1864, at the ripe
age of eighty-four years, ten months and twenty-two days.
The " Great Harvester " found him with every faculty fully
matured and unimpaired. The many excellent qualities
which distinguished him and his most worthy compan-
ion, live in their children, reared on that thrifty Fenner
farm. (Note k)

CHURCHES.

Fenner Baptist Church, was organized August 23, 1801.
Elder Nathan Baker was first pastor. The first Deacons
were Ephraim Munger and Roswell Glass. Meetings were
held in school houses and dwellings in different parts of the
town. In 1 8 17, a revival occurred in which 10 1 persons
were baptized. In 1820, the meeting house at Fenner
Corners was built. At different periods this church has
borne the name successively of, " Third Baptist Church of
Cazenovia," and " Baptist Church of Smithfield."

MADISON COUNTY.

374

The Protestant Episcopal Church of Perry ville was founded
in i8i6. It was then a branch of Paris Hill Church. Re-
ligious services were held from house to house at first.
Lyman Blakeslee was licensed Lay Reader by Bishop Ho-
bart, and in the absence of pastors conducted services. In
1832, while Rev. Solomon Northrup was pastor, the house
of worship was built at a cost of $2,500.

Methodist Episcopal Church of Perryville. The first Meth-
odist Class was formed about 18 18, first Class Leader,
Charles Blakeslee. First Methodist Sabbath School was
formed in 18 19, which has continued up to the present
time. The meeting house was built in 1839.

The Methodist Episcopal Church of Chittenango Falls, was
organized June 4, 1844. The first pastor was Rev. J. Wat-
son, The house of worship was built in 1844.

GEORGETOWN. 375

CH AFTER VIII,

GEORGETOWN.

Boundaries. — Geography. — Township No. 6. — First Settler.—
Sketch of the Homes of other Pioneers. — Louis Anathe Mul-
ler. — Muller Hill, and its Village and Enterprises. — Strange
Oblivion over the Family of Muller. — History of the Estate to
the Present Time. — Georgetown Village and its Enterprises.
— First Town Officers. — Prominent Men. — Early Church in
the North Part of the Town. — Biographical Sketch of Dr.
W hitmore. — Churches.

Georgetown was formed from DeRuyter, April 7, 1815.
It is one of the southern towns of the County and is bounded
north by Nelson, east by Lebanon, south by Chenango
County and west by DeRuyter.

Thomas Ludlow, jr., of New York City, received the
patent for the Sixth Township in the " Clinton Purchase,"
on the 2d day of March, 1793. This patent, according to
the statement of the Surveyor-General, contained 24,384
acres of land.

Previous to 1791, this township formed a part of the old
and indefinitely bounded town of Whitestown, Montgomery
County, but in this year, Herkimer was formed from Mont-
gomery County, and in 1792, Whitestown was divided and
the town of Paris was erected, which embraced a large por-
tion of Madison County, including all those of the " Che-
nango Twenty Towns " which lay in its territory. There-
fore at the time of Mr. Ludlow's purchase, Georgetown lay
within the boundary of Paris, Herkimer County. Subse-

1^6 MADISON COUNTY.

quently, in the formation of new towns, it became success-
ively a part of Cazenovia and DeRuyter, and only received
its name of Georgetown in 1815.

Mr. Ludlow caused this town to be again surveyed in
1802, and its first settlement was made in 1803, by Mr.
Ezra Sexton, from Litchfield, Connecticut.

Georgetown was at this period one unbroken forest, the
hights of her hills crowned with large, straight hemlocks,
sombre looking as they reared their dark forms above the
spreading beech, her valleys and plateaus presenting a fine
sweep of noble sugar maples, while herswamps were gloomy
with their magnificent pines, whose stately forms towered
far upward — ancient monarchs of the forest, reigning with
undisputed sway over the mass of tangled, struggling foliage
beneath them.

The Otselic, with its branches, coursed through the town
from north to south, and formed a stream of much greater
power than it now presents. The pretty Indian name,
" Otselic," signifies " Plum Creek." When this town was
first settled, wild plums of every variety abounded. There
were many species of thorn plums of different colors, sweet
and sour, and larger than can now be found. All were very
good as fruit food ; they were used for sauce, made into
pies, and preserved by drying for winter use.

The eastern branch of the Otselic, which was in the early
days the largest, had its source in Hatch's Lake ; but when
that lake was converted into a feeder for the Chenango
Canal in 1836, the supply was cut off, and this branch now
only drains the swamp land of Lots No. 10, 11 and 12.
The second branch has its rise in springs in the southern
border of Nelson, south of Erieville ; and the third, which
unites with the main stream at the village, rises in the
northwest corner of the town and is fed by numerous rivu-
lets from the lofty hillsides. A fourth stream rises among
the " Muller lands" and joins the main Otselic, south of the
village. The borders of these branches were extremely

GEORGETOWN. 377

marshy and abounded in a heavy growth of lowland shrubs.
Contiguous to these marshes, and extending back towards
the hills, were many handsome plateaus quite free from
dampness, being healthy locations, where the earliest set-
tlers planted their homes. Back of these plateaus were the
two lines of ridges which traverse this town from north to
south, and which are from five to six hundred feet above the
valley.

Two roads, were laid out at an early day, which connected
the projected settlements of Georgetown with settlements
in adjoining towns. One of them commenced at the cor-
ner of Lot 58, about a mile and a half above Georgetown
village, and passing east connected with the Lebanon
settlement, and is the present road passing through that
district. Here, on Lot 58, near the bright, murmuring
waters of the Otselic, Mr. Sexton cut the first tree, and
commenced, on the 4th day of July, 1803, the first dwelling
in the town of Georgetown. This most beautiful location
is now the home of J. B. Wagoner and was for many years
the homestead of his father, John B. Wagoner, Esq., now of
Morrisville. Mr. Sexton was soon established with his
family in the new domicil. The wide, wide wilderness was
all around them, though the Lebanon settlers were not so
very far off. Farther east, upon the new road leading to
Lebanon, Mr. Sexton the next year cleared ten acres,
which was the first lot cleared of the primeval forest in
town. This was across the road from the present home of
Horace Hawks, Esq.

The other road, opened about the same time, passed in a
northerly and southerly course through the town, and most
of the way parallel with the Otselic. This road connected
with the settlements of Nelson, commencing at a point on
the then well traveled route from Eaton to Erieville, near
the well-known tavern of Eldad Richardson on Eagle Hill,
and became the present road passing through the Wells'
district in Nelson, entering Georgetown near the north-east

3/8 MADISON COUNTY.

corner of Lot No. 9, passing over Lots 22 and 34, where
there is now no road nor has been for many a year, and
entering the present stage route between Eaton and
Georgetown on the west side of Lot 35, near the dwelUng
house upon this lot. From thence the road passed south,
and is the present OtseHc valley road. Upon these routes
the first settlers built their dwellings. The year 1804,
brought the pioneers John C. Payne, Bethel Hurd, Josiah
Bishop and Eleazer Hunt. John C. Payne took up Lot 115,
and located his residence where Mr. Loren Brown resides.
He became the first inn-keeper of the town. The same
year Apollos Drake and Olmstead Brown came in and
bought of Mr. Payne ; Drake fifty acres on one side of his
Lot, and Brown the same on the other. Mr. Drake however
did not settle till the next year. Bethel Hurd located on
Lot No. 69, near where the cheese factory of Mr. Benjamin
Fletcher is at present (1871,) situated. The first religious
services held in town were at his house, and were conducted
by Mr. Ezra Sexton. The first store in town was kept by
a Mr. Truesdale in Bethel Hurd's house. Benjamin, Daniel,
Ezra, David and Stephen, sons of Bethel Hurd, were for
years settled on farms adjoining each other on this street.
David, Benjamin and Stephen, resided on their farms till
within a few years.* Elijah and Detus Olmstead were the
sons of Elder Olmstead, of Schodack, Rensselaer County,
and were of the race of the Olmsteads of Hamilton.
They did not long reside here ; sickness and death in their
families caused them to remove. Josiah Purdy bought out
Elijah Olmstead, his location being where Wm. F. Drake
now resides. Mr. Purdy was a blacksmith by trade. He
was a man of good judgment and was frequently con-
sulted in law matters ; also, issues were often joined before
him as umpire or arbitrator. He cleared up this farm,

Died, in Georgetown, June 8th, 1866, Dea. Benjamin Hurd, aged 79 years;
also, died in Warsaw, Sept. 15th, 1867, Dea. Stephen Hurd, formerly of Madison
County, aged "]% years.

GEORGETOWN. 379

reared a family here, and both himself and wife lived to
spend many years in the enjoyment of the fruits of their
labor. They both died upon this homestead. Eleazer
Hunt was from Stafford, Tolland Co., Conn. He located at
the village, and was by trade both a carpenter and cabinet
maker. In 1805, Apollos Drake, Calvin Cross, Joseph P.
Harrison, Matthew Hollenbeck, Berry Carter, Mitchell
Atwood and William Payne came and settled. Drake was
from Westford, Otsego Co. He moved early in the spring
and settled immediately into house keeping in the log
house he had built the year previous, when he took up his
farm. On the spot where he built his primitive dwelling
stands the house of his son, Theron O. Drake, the home-
stead having never passed from the family. In this pres-
ent dwelling the pioneer and his wife both died; the wife
Aurilla in 1832, and the aged settler in 1838. Mr. Drake
was a prominent man in the new country, being often
chosen to office in town. When Georgetown was a part of
DeRuyter, he was Constable and Collector, a position of
much importance at that day in the undivided territory.
Theron O. Drake, the son who succeeded to the homestead,
also succeeded to places of trust in town matters. Wm. F.
Drake and T. Allen Drake, sons of the latter, are residents
of the same part of the town.

Calvin Cross came at an early day and settled on the
road leading west from the village. He was originally from
Bennington, Vt., but came here from Hamilton. Mr. Cross
was an expert hunter — was known as such in Hamilton
when that town was a wilderness. While a resident there,
he caught a wolf in a trap he had set in the woods. He
followed the tracks of the animal, which had dragged off
his trap, and on coming up with it, and finding it to be
a veritable wolf, whipped and beat the brute until it gave
up, when he secured it by placing the trap upon its nose,
and in this condition led it into the streets of Payne's Set-
tlement, (Hamilton,) to the wonder and astonishment of the

380 MADISON COUNTY.

denizens of the embryo village. Mr. Cross* and his brother
killed the last bear known in Georgetown. They had
tracked the beast to his hiding place in the woods, south-
west of the village, where they found him under the roots
of an upturned tree, and had quite an adventure in killing
him.

Joseph P. Harrison settled on Lot No. 57. He had three
sons, Daniel, Bradford and Luther, who, as they came to
manhood, located around him. Daniel resides on the home-
stead, and is now the only son of Joseph Harrison remain-
ing in town.:

Berry Carter settled in the south part of the town, but
did not remain long a resident. He is, at a later date, re-
corded as living in Eaton. Wheeler Dryer, the oldest
man now living in town, also located in the south part.

Matthew Hollenbeck, from Litchfield, Conn., located on
the road leading to Lebanon, east of Mr. Sexton. His
original log house stood a few rods from the residence of
Mr. Horace Hawks. Near the identical spot is a barn be-
longing to Mr. Hawks, which was built by Matthew Hollen-
beck.

Mitchell Atwood located on Lot No. 46, and here built
the second saw mill in town in 1806. This mill received
the two most easterly branches of the Otselic. At that day

*«'CROSS.— In the town of Eaton, February 23d, 1868, Mr. Calvin Cross,
aged 87 years.

" The deceased was born at Bennington, Vt., from which he emigrated when
but fourteen years old, to what is now Hamilton village. At the time of his ar-
rival, there was only one house where the large village of Hamilton is now located.
He remained there a few years, and then removed to Georgetown, where he has
remained until within a few months previous to his death. He was one of the first
settlers of the county, and often has the writer heard him tell of the wild and stir-
ring scenes in which he was a prominent actor — his enlistment in the army in the
war of 1812 — march to Sackett's Harbor — its attempted capture by the British —
bear and deer hunts in the extensive forests in and about Georgetown, and other in-
cidents of his early life. He helped build the Baptist Church in Georgetown, and
was a member of that Society thirty-six years. Father Cross was characterized for
untiring industry and energy, for which his robust constitution eminently fitted him.
His friendly and social qualities made him a favorite among a numerous class of ac-
quaintances, whose love and esteem he retained through life, and who will sadly
miss the cheerful, intelligent, kind old friend and devoted father in Israel."

GEORGETOWN. 38 1

a fine water power was produced by those streams, and for
nearly half a century this mill did most worthy service,
working up nearly all the great forest around it, little by
little, shaping the great unwieldly logs into material which
at this day adorns the beautiful valley of the Otselic with ...
attractive, pleasant-looking farm houses. The old saw mill^'^,
however, has done its work, and to-day, nothing but the
ruins of its foundation mark the spot. Its aged owner still
lives upon the same spot where he first located, and in the
house of his own building, where in his declining years he
is not compelled, like many, to witness alien hands tilling
the soil, and utterly changing the aspect of the home where
he has spent the most of his long life, but is passing away
his existence in the family of his son-in-law, Mr. Sanford,
who resides with him.

Wra. Payne's family were from Connecticut, and were
connected with the Paynes who were the pioneers of Ham-
ilton. Wm. Payne took up Lots 34 and 35, and built his
first log house very near where stands the barn of the hand-
somely improved farm of Lot 35. In 1805, the eldest child
of Wm. Payne, Weston Payne, was born, which was the
first birth in town.

In consequence of the isolated situation of many of the
pioneers, great inconveniences were often felt, and some-
times positive suffering. Mrs. Payne has often narrated in-
stances of the privations experienced by them during those
first years, and which increased the homesickness she was
sufiering, which is often part of the troubles of pioneer life.
As a consequence of this, Mr. and Mrs. Payne decided to
visit their native home, which they accomplished, traveling
the whole distance to Connecticut and back on horseback,
carrying their child with them.

Bears, wolves and deer were common then, and the swamp
usually know as " Fletcher's Swamp," which was very much
larger then than now, abounded in spvage beasts. Mr.
Payne once related a circumstance of three Indians who

382 MADISON COUNTY

came to his house from their hunting encampment near the
swamp. One of them was badly injured in an encounter
with a bear in the swamp. His head was terribly torn and
mangled. Mr. Payne attended to his wounds, and he re-
mained a few days, when, somewhat recovered, he again

*. J'went forth to rejoin his comrades in the hunt.

', The Jirsl saw mill was built by Eleazer Hunt and Joab

Bishop in 1805, which stood in the village near where they
built the grist mill in 1806. Previous to the building of the
latter, the inhabitants were compelled to get their milling
done at Leland's in Eaton, making the journey by marked
trees. When this mill was built there were not inhabitants
enough in town to raise the frame, and men were called
from Hamilton, Log City and Lebanon to help. It was at
this gathering that the village of Georgetown received its
former, and not yet obsolete, name. One of the men from
Eaton remarked that the village of his town boasted of three
log houses, and they had therefore named the place " Log
City." At this, Apollos Drake broke out with the sudden
exclamation, " we have three slab covered houses ; this
must be called " Slab City !" — and so it was called, first for
a joke; but the name has clung to the village for nearly
seventy years. This name, however, is of late years grad-
ually falling into disuse, since "Georgetown" is better
known abroad.

Messrs. Hunt & Bishop built their grist mill on the west
side of the Otselic, and the present one was built entirely
new on the same side, a little below, (2 rods,) by Mr. Nathan

- Smith. The saw mill was on the east side of the creek.
The original mechanic employed to erect the grist mill was
Mr. Dyer Lamb, whose death occurred recently at the resi-
dence of his son, Wilson Lamb, in New Woodstock. The
original mill stones are still in use ; these were made from
a rock found on Lot No. 113 of this town. Their continu-
ance in service two-thirds of a century is good evidence
that they have been and still are efficient. These mills are
now owned by Messrs. Brown & Torpy.

GEORGETOWN. 383

The first tavern in town was kept, as has been stated, by
John C. Payne. It was located on the site of the present
hotel. After Payne, John Holmes kept here, then David
Parker, and after him Alexander McElwain. Part of this
old hotel has been moved and reorganized, and is now (1871,)
the dwelling house of Dr. White, on West street.

Ezra Sexton opened the first burial ground in town on
his own land, on the death of a young child of his. This
was the first death in town. His wife next died and was
buried beside her child. This burial ground is near the
residence of Horace Hawks, Esq., and the S. & C. railroad
passes close by. It is a hallowed spot, sacred, especially, to
the memory of many of the pioneers whose remains repose
here. The first death in the village was a child of Mr. Par-
malee, the miller of Hunt & Bishop's mill. This was the
first burial in the village cemetery.

Between 1806 and 18 10, many settlers came into town
and located in different parts. Benjamin Bonney, David
Parker, Philetus Stewart, Dea. Hanford Nichols, John
Pritchard, Doctor Smith, Elijah and Alfred Brown, James
McElwain, Levi Shephard, William Rhoades, Daniel Alvord,
Capt. Samuel White and Elijah Jackson were the more
prominent of these.

Dea. Pitts Lawrence and his wife, (formerly Widow
Dixon,) who died recently in Cazenovia, aged ninety-four
years, and also Elijah and David Williams settled in the south
part of the town.

Benjamin Bonney located on the Lebanon road. Lot No.
60. He was from Connecticut and a relative of the Bon-
neys of Eaton and Hamilton. He cleared up his farm and
enjoyed the fruits of his labor many years. He died in
Georgetown in January, 1868, at the ripe age of eighty-six.

David Parker came from Massachusetts about 1808. A
Mr. West came with him. The two took up a lot and di-
vided it. It was located on the Lebanon road. This lot is
now owned by Robert Utter.

384 MADISON COUNTY.

Philetus Stewart also located on the Lebanon road, on
Lot No. 72, where he converted his portion of the wilder-
ness into a fine farm. Dea. Hanford Nichols settled on the
same road in the east part of the town, and there was no
handsomer farm around than he made of his. Peter Nich-
ols, brother of the latter, afterwards came, and settled on
the farm adjoining Mr. Atwood, on the south. His three
daughters, Maria, Caroline and Betsey, married the three
Harrisons, Daniel, Bradford and Luther.

\ John Pritchard came from near Waterbury, Conn., and
settled in the Atwood neighborhood, near the creek. He
afterwards bought east of there, near Dea. Nichols, where
he lived many years, and several of his family of children re-
main in town.

Doctor Smith (so named for being the seventh son,)
located on Lot No. 59.

Elijah and Alfred Brown settled south of Georgetown
village on farms now owned by their sons ; James McElwain
came before 1807, and purchased part of Lot No. 126;
William Rhoades settled on Lot No. 25, where Rice Wood
has lived many years ; Levi Shephard located in the same
neighborhood ; Daniel Alvord, also, settled in the north-
west part of the town. Capt. Samuel White settled on Lot
No. 27. Edward Holmes located also in this neighborhood.
His son, John Holmes, was one of the early settlers of
Georgetown village. The road early opened from the vil-
lage to Sheds Corners passed the locations of Rhoades,
Alvord, Shephard and White.

Elijah Jackson settled on Lot No. 9, in the north part of
the town, which is now owned by Jerome Childs. Mem-
bers of his family reside in town. Amasa Jackson, for years
a merchant in this and the adjoining town of Nelson, and
recently removed to Pennsylvania, is one of his sons.

John Jackson, brother of Elijah, later took up a farm on
Lot No. 22, and set out an orchard on the road which then
crossed the lot. When the road was changed, which made

GEORGETOWN. 385

this an inland location, he abandoned the spot for one more
advantageous. Some of the trees of that old orchard are
still standing and bear fruit. Subsequently this farm was
owned by Orrin Chase. On the removal of the latter it
passed to the Fletchers, when it was converted into a pas-
ture farm. All dwellings and barns ever erected upon it
have passed away. One passing by its location, on the
Georgetown and Erieville road, would scarcely believe that
four dwellings, in which the joys and sorrows of families
have alternated, have stood in different places upon this
farm. A bare trace of the last one occupied remains — a
sunken spot of earth, a few foundation stones around it, a
cluster of neglected shrubbery planted long ago by fair
hands ! The S. & C. railroad, following the course of the
creek through this farm, sweeps away a venerable door
yard for years trodden by numerous little feet, and brushes
the very site of the obliterated threshold ! It is thus that
progress wipes out the traces of our predecessors and anni-
hilates the old landmarks.

Ebenezer Hall came about 1812, and took up the farm
on Lot No. 23, now owned by C. Wagoner, known for many
years as the Fletcher farm — last owned in that family, we
believe, by Isaac Fletcher.

Jesse Jerrold came in 18 16, and located on Lot No. 35.

John Gibson, from Cornwall, Conn., took up a farm on
Lot 48, and opened a new road to gain access to his wilder-
ness home. A Mr. Allen settled on the lot adjoining him,
which is now known as the Lewis Wickwire farm. The
Gibson farm is now owned by Frank Wickwire.

Zadoc Hawks came in 18 16, from Hawley, Franklin Co.,
Mass. He located on lot No. 58. Some of his sons settled
about him in subsequent years. Two of these sons, only,
reside in town — Horace and Israel — the former being on
the homestead farm.

Nathan Benedict arrived about 181 2, and settled on Lo
No. 21. About 1823, the county perfected the p mi ive

Y

386 MADISON COUNTY.

road laid out in this section, as it was considered to be a
more direct route from Slab City to Erieville, thence north
to Cazenovia, than had heretofore been made. This road
passed over the " Benedict Hill," at the foot of which Mr.
B. had built his house. Upon the side hill he planted a
noble orchard, which for many years yielded as fine fruit
as the town produced. Travelers found this orchard to be
a famous stopping place. The same ancient looking dwell-
ing first built, still stands, and is occupied by his son, N. B,
Benedict, who succeeded to the homestead. Tne old
orchsrd is decaying, and the road which in the days of yore
was so carefully kept at the county's expense, has of late
years become sadly neglected, and the march of improve-
ment has opened a more feasible route around the west
side of the hill.

Louis Anathe Muller, the distinguished French refugee,
purchased in the year 1808, of Daniel Ludlow, one of the
Ludlow heirs, fifteen lots, each lot containing by estimate
174 acres, 2 roods and 35 perches, the whole amounting to
about twenty-seven hundred acres of land, located in different
parts of Georgetown, the most of it lying west of the Otselic.

After this purchase, between the years 1808 and 1810,
Mr. Muller engaged in making exchanges of some of the
disconnected portions of his land, for lots adjoining the
main body of his estate, which was situated upon the
elevated ridge through the western part of the town. He
retained the land lying along the two streams, which rise in
the westerly and north-westerly parts of the ti>wn and
empty into the Otselic, one at Georgetown village and the
other about two miles south. Those streams were at that
day of no inconsiderable size, and as they rushed down the
precipitous hills of this then wild region, they presented
several fine mill privileges.

Muller saw the advantages these streams afforded, and
having no knowledge of the value of land only as it was
well crossed by streams of good water power, determined

GEORGETOWN.

58/

to draw his estate about them, and make them subservient
to his interests. The isolated situation seemed suited to
his wishes, and he forthwith devoted himself to the build-
ing up of his own village in the wilderness. The wealth
he brought into this town, it is said, amounted to 1^150,000.
He made his residence at Hamilton village during the
progress of the work, which occupied two or three years.
He brought with him a full retinue of his own countrymen,
and employed 150 men in his work, many of whom came with
him, while many of the inhabitants of Georgetown assisted
him in his enterprise. He paid his workmen in gold and silver.

Near the center of his estate, about three miles west of
" Slab City," as Georgetown was then called, three hundred
acres of land were handsomely cleared, where he erected a
spacious fortress-like dwelling, 70 feet by 30, constructed
with massive sills.

The superstructure was made of hewn cherry timber,
each slab or bent, about twelve inches thick and eleven
feet high, framed into the sills, each one raised closely
against the other, side by side, and dove-tailed into each
other by strong slats. This impenetrable wall of solid
timber surrounding the whole building was well covered
with clapboards, lathed and plastered inside, and most
carefully finished after a style best fancied by the strange
builder. The walls present a nice finish, and time has
proved their durability. The building is of the European
style of architecture of that time. There were originally
seven fire places, which were trimmed with black marble.
It is said that in the cellar an appartment undiscoverable
by a stranger, whose secret purposes were never told, was
provided. The rooms were all spacious, and adorned
with rich mirrors, mahogany and other costly furniture.
Superb ornaments adorned the halls, and a fine library*

* The great cupboard which contained his library, remained in the hall many
years after Muller's final departure from the country, its mammoth size preventing
its being lemoved. It was finally taken apart, and piece by piece the relic has
been carried away by curiosity seekers.

388 MADISON COUNTY,

ministered to the taste of the cultivated proprietor. Ai
the style, surroundings and appointments of a French
nobleman's residence, were arranged here in elaborate detail
and with studious care.

Upon the completion of his dwelling he removed his
family, consisting of a wife and child, from Hamilton, and
commenced life in their adopted home. The work of
improving and beautifying this wild, secluded hill, still
rapidly progressed. Money was lavished and labor applied
without stint. From the brook which traversed his grounds
an artificial pond was excavated, which was well stocked
with fish. Avenues of fine shade trees, maples, poplars,
&c., were set out, some of which are standing to this dav.
A fine park was enclosed with a strong high fence or stock-
ade, in which were kept deer, rabbits and other game.
Large and convenient outbuildings were erected, whose
style was in keeping with the taste which planned the
house.

At the east of this palatial homestead, which is located
on Lots No. 75, ^6, 87, ^% and 89, Muller opened a road
running in nearly a northerly and southerly direction, and
along the stream which rises upon his estate. Upon
this stream, about one mile in a south-easterly direction
from his residence, in School District No. 12, he estab-
lished his village. On a portion of Lot 126, purchased
by Muller of James McElwain, were the falls where he
erected his grist mill, which many years ago fell into ruin,
while at the present day, scarcely a vestige of its remains
can be found.

This village consisted of many dwellings, a store-house
and two stores. Muller invited artisans and mechanics,
and gave them advantages to induce them to establish here,
and thus he built up a considerable trade in many branches.
John Passon Bronder and Modeste Del Campo, in company,
kept the first store. A short time after, James C. Winter
opened another store in competition. These men came with

GEORGETOWN. 389

Muller from France. From Mr. Passon Bronder this place
was called " Bronder Hollow," which name it still retains.
One of the stores and the storehouse were standing near
together. The latter is still in existence, having been con-
verted into a horse barn, belonging to Mr. Samuel Stone,
who owns a farm here.

More than two miles east of his residence, on the stream
which enters Georgetown village from the northwest, on
the north-east corner of Lot y8, Muller built a saw mill,
which has now nothing of it remaining.

When all these were completed, Muller set himself to the
work of assiduously cultivating and bringing forth the ca-
pacities of this rather sterile region. He endeavored to ex-
tend every branch of horticulture, and planted many
varieties of rich fruits, but for want of knowledge in the
qualities of the soil, he allowed the gravel and hard-pan re-
moved in the excavation of the fish pond, to be leveled over
the grounds, which rendered it unproductive, and horticul-
ture did not thrive.

In his family arrangements, peace and contentment
seemed constant companions, and enlarged benevolence
marked his conduct ; the sick and the needy found their
fevered pulses soothed by personal attentions, and the
means for supplying all reasonable wants. In business mat-
ters he was prompt and decided, and all persons employed
by him were early taught to feel his unflinching, unwaver-
ing spirit ; any indication of laziness, or inattention to du-
ties required, was followed by prompt dismissal, and never
could any dismissed person obtain employment from him
again. He required obedience like a man accustomed to
military command. He often brought the latest newspapers
into the field among the workmen, and, gathering them all
about him, read to them the news of the day ; but the mo-
ment he observed his audience, or any part of it, inattentive,
or indulging in any by-play, he immediately folded his
paper, and commanded them all to their posts of labor. He

3;^0 MADISON COUNTY.

was deeply interested in the struggle of the Americans with
the British in 1812, and warmly commended the valor of
the Americans in that contest.

However, among his workmen, he rarely found one to
whom he freely expressed his opinions on the prominent
political movements of that day, and to such he studiously
avoided any mention of his personal knowledge of affairs in
France, thus concealing the prominent part he had un-
doubtedly taken in the great movements of his time. He
most frequently sought the society of one whom he could
safely trust, when laboring under any excitement which he
could ill suppress, and which might possibly betray him.

Chancellor Bierce, who worked for Muller three years,
was one of the few between whom and his employer there
grew a strong sympathy, and before whom this retired man
was less careful. One instance of this nature Mr. Bierce
relates.

Agreeably to the laws of the State of New York, Louis
Anathe Muller, in common with other citizens, had been
warned out to general training. This order was looked
upon by Mr. Muller as an insult, and in his excitement he
made the following noteworthy remarks to Mr. Bierce : —

" Mr. Bierce, it is too bad! too bad ! Captain Hurd sends
his corporal to warn me out to train I He ought to be
ashamed ! I have been General of a Division five years — I
have signed three treaties " — here, checking himself, he
simply added, as though striving to suppress feeling :
" Bierce, it is too bad !"

Prompted as these words were by the sting of in-
jured dignity, we have no doubt of their being the truth,
forced from the secret he so assiduously covered, through
the unguarded medium of his wounded pride. Conscious-
ness of this weakness in himself, is the probable cause why
he sought the presence of Bierce, a man in whom he might
safely confide.

Mr. Bierce explained to him, in a satisfactory manner, the

GEORGETOWN. 39 1

situation of our military laws, and Muller recognized the
justness of the proceeding. However, he did not train, on
that or any subsequent occasion.

Muller labored under great disadvan':ages in his building
and farming enterprises, through the want of proper knowl-
edge. This rendered his work doubly expensive. His
grist mill had a most peculiar and unhandy arrangement.
He was often cruelly imposed upon by individuals who en-
joyed perpetrating jokes, A story is told of his desiring to
sow an acre of turnips. Not knowing how much seed he
should want for that amount of ground, he asked a neigh-
bor, and was informed that it required a bushel. By scour-
ing the country far and near and purchasing small quanti-
ties, he succeeded m obtaining three pecks. Soon after he
was asked by an old farmer what he was going to do with
so much turnip seed. Muller, in reply, said he wished to
sow an acre of turnips, when the old man explained to him
that he had been sadly hoaxed.

In conversation with him, Mr. Bierce gathered that Mul-
ler married his wife since coming to America, in New York ;
that he came in possession of the Georgetown estate in a
manner not agreeable to his ideas of justice or honor; that
Ludlow had made friends with him when he first came to
New York, to whom he lent some ;^30,ooo, by which, in the
change of circumstances, he was induced to accept this tract
of land rather than suffer a total loss.

In his personal appearance, L. A. Muller was a fine-look-
ing man, about five feet five inches high, well proportioned,
possessing a distinguished military bearing. His complex-
ion was of a swarthy color, eyes black and penetrating,
i^eatures sharply defined, with the forehead of a keen prac-
tical intellect, perfectly in keeping with the fine face. He
was apparently about fifty years of age.

He was not an enthusiast, but a plain practical reasoner ;
he abhorred mean lying and deception, and considered his
honor as sacred. He enjoyed the sports of the green and

393 MADISON COUNTY.

the chase, and in these amusements his character was con-
spicuous. On no account would he attack game while at
rest ; every living thing hagl a chance for escape, but that
chance was feeble if his fowling piece or rifle was in his
hand.

He was very affectionate toward his young wife, Eugenie
Adaline. She was a fair-haired, beautiful blonde, of only
medium hight — a graceful and finely-formed, girlish crea-
ture. Gay and affectionate with her maids, she and her two
pretty children, Charley and Carlos, (one of whom was born
in Georgetown, we understand,) were very much beloved by
all, and were the center of the deepest solicitude on the
part ot the husband and father.

A strange, yet powerful apprehension weighed upon his
mind and tinctured his prominent movements. In com-
mon with the views of the French nation, he believed the
powers of Europe would fall before the eagles of Bonaparte ;
that the haughty lion of Britain would crouch and yield,
and even the American eagle would fly before the gigantic '
power of the Corsican. These apprehensions pressing
upon him, seemed to find some rehef in the hope that the
secluded hills of Georgetown would afford him a residence
unknown and unobserved, and a safe retreat from present
danger. He avoided mingling in public assemblies, and
when visiting any more conspicuous town he was attended
by his most trusty servants. Indeed, this peculiar watch-
fulness, the construction of his fortress-like dwelling, the se-
cret room — if such be a fact — all confirm the opinion that
he feared molestation from the authorities of his native
country. Two servants, in livery and armed, usually rode
on either side of him as a body guard. At each saddle
front, his own and his guards, was a case of pistols and am-
munition.

But when Bonaparte made his line of march for Russia,
Muller one day reading the news, was jubilant. " He shall
be whipped 1" he exclaimed ; " Bonaparte shall be driven

GEORGETOWN. 393

back !" And so it proved. From this time he made his
arrangements to return to France. When Bonaparte ab-
dicated, and was sent a prisoner to Elba, Muller, leaving
his property in the hands of an agent, took his wife and
children to New York, where he left them and went to
France. In 1816, he came again to New York to dispose
of his property here. In his absence strange doings had
been performed. The person in whom he had placed un-
limited confidence in the care of his estate, one of the head
men in the retinue brought here by him, had stripped his
house of its furniture, sold his stock and every convertible
object, and left, carrying off the avails. Weeds covered his
garden walks and roads ; desolation marked every object of
his former care and pride ; his village was forsaken and the
mill deserted. In dismay, Mr. Muller viewed the wreck of
his exile home, and tears at last gave relief to his oppressed
mind.

He returned to New York and promptly offered the land
for any sum. He sold to Mr. Abijah Weston, merchant of
New York City, for the sum of $10,500, fifteen lots and
parts of lots, which include those lots of the present Muller
estate, with house, barn, out-houses, grist mill and saw
mill. The deed was executed April 9, 18 16, Cornelius
Bogart and Jacob Radcliffe, attest.

(Signed) JACOB RADCLIFFE,

Mayor of the City of New York.

Mr. Muller then returned to France, it is said, leaving his
family in New York City.

One would scarcely suspect so much had been lavished
in the building up of this lonely place, from what can be
seen this day. The Muller house, from the durable manner
in which it is constructed, has withstood the rough treat-
ment it has received from careless tenants, sent on by its
subsequent owners. But little is left to suggest where
stood the park, or where played the waters of the pretty
fish pond. Long ago the park was demolished, and the

394 • MADISON COUNTY.

dam of the pond leveled by some of the numerous occupants
of the house. The saw mill was demolished or removed
before 1825, and also the grist mill, while there is nothing
left of the village to mark the spot, except ' some of the
buildings, still standing, occupied for other purposes.

" However, an air of romance has ever since clung around
that stern and stately mansion, with its lofty poplars and
spacious green in front, and until recently reports were rife
and frequently believed that this house was haunted, and its
occupants have been frightened pale, and some have been
known to leave, actually believing in the mysterious tales
ot haunted houses, and that this was one."

That Louis Anathe Muller was a French nobleman,
bearing an assumed name, fleeing from the vengeance of Na-
poleon Bonaparte, cannot be doubted. His family physi-
cian, a man named Pietrow, who came to Georgetown with
him, once said, that Muller was " cousin the second to the
Duke of Angouleme ;" but no evidence was given this by
the men who heard the assertion made, as Pietrow usually
carefully avoided disclosing Muller's station or name.
Dates demolish the idea that Muller was Louis Phillippe.

There are many evidences that he was a man of superior
military attainments, and consequently many believe him to
have been one of the celebrated French Generals loyal to
the Bourbons, who escaped to America to avoid the impend-
ing doom of the guillotine. More generally, however, the
belief prevails in this country that he was a member of the
Bourbon family, and who, on the abdication of Bonaparte,
was restored to his royal privileges.

It is said that Muller's wife, after his departure, assumed
her maiden name of Stuyvesant, by which her children are
called. We cannot vouch for the truth of this statement,
but Madison County records show the following : The
Mailer property in Georgetown was sold by Abijah Weston
to Israel Foote in the year 1820, for the sum of ^13,000.
There was a heavy mortgage upon it. In 1 821, it was sold

GEORGETOWN. 395

by Thomas Bolton, Master in Chancery, to the Mechanics
Bank in the City of New York, and by the directors of this
Bank to Francis U. Johnson, the deed bearing date the
13th day of September, 1834, and the same day by him
granted to Peter Stuyvesant and Robert Van Rensselaer.
June 15, 1837, Peter Stuyvesant and Julia R, his wife,
made a gift of those premises, "for and in consideration of
the sum of one dollar, lawful United States currency," to
Nicholas William Stuyvesant, Caroline Augusta Stuyvesant
and Robert Stuyvesant, children of Nicholas William Stuy-
vesant. If Muller's wife was a Stuyvesant (as report said
and as is here indicated,) these three children were doubt-
less Muller's children, adopted by their relative, Nicholas
William Stuyvesant.

The three joint owners last named (Caroline Augusta
having become the wife of Benjamin Onderdonk, of New
York City,) deeded the estate to Dr. James O. Van Hoven-
burg, of Kingston, Ulster County, by whom it is now
owned. The homestead now includes some 600 acres, and
is occupied by Mr. Van Hovenburg, a relative of the pro-
prietor.

We return to the early settlers and incidents connected
with their pioneer life, as given by the few survivors : —

There was a kindness and sympathy among the inhabi-
tants in those sparse settlements, which was engendered by
their common necessities. Generosity was encouraged
everywhere, and exhibitions of meanness were despised and
rebuked in some manner. Each one seemed ready to help
the other, in any emergency, to the extent of his ability. It
is told, however, of a certain man, who came in very early
and settled in the south part of the town, who did not an-
swer to the qualities we have named as ruling among the
people. He had more than the average share of riches, and
felt his consequence. Some time after his arrival, a woman
died in the neighborhood on the east side of the Otselic,

3.96 MADISON COUNTY.

and on her burial was taken to the grave-yard at Slab City.
This man had, a short time before, purchased a wagon — a
large two-horse lumber wagon, the first that came into town
— and he was requested to lend it to bear the remains of
the deceased to the grave. This he decidedly refused to
do, adding that if " he lent his wagon to one he would have
to to another, and he might keep on lending it till it was
all wore out !" This seemed all the more inhuman from
the fact that the Otselic then had no bridge across it, and
the men bearing the bier were obliged to wade through the
stream with their burden. This man also possessed the
first grindstone in the neighborhood, and used to take off"
the handle and hide it, lest some neighbor should ask the
use of the stone, or obtain its use otherwise. These are
only two of the many instances of his meanness, which
caused him to be so heartily despised by his neighbors, that
he was at last glad to leave them and the country.

Before much grain was raised, game and fish formed part
of the staple food. There was no fruit, except berries and
wild plums, both of which were gathered and used freely.
Sometimes bread, pies, and other edibles, were exchanged
for apples, which were brought along by the Indians when
they journeyed through here on their autumnal hunting
tours south. Fish were plenty in the OtseUc, and it was
fine amusement catching fish at Hatch's saw mill, at the
outlet of the lake, where they were abundant at certain sea-
sons. A journey to Leland's grist mill in the spring time
often resulted in a generous mess of shad caught from the
Chenango. At the period when there were no obstructions
on this river, from the ocean to its head waters in Leland's
Ponds, shad and other ocean fish came up annually, and
were caught in abundance. After the construction of dams,
the supply of these soon failed.

Georgetown forests made fine hunting grounds in the
early days. Deer were quite common. One circumstance
is noteworthy : — Two young men, Isaac Purdy and William

GEORGETOWN.

397

Drake, went out one morning with their fowHng-pieces, and
before breakfast killed four large bucks, not far from their
homes south of the village. This is well authenticated,
though it may seem to us a pretty large " breakfast spell."
Panthers and bears sometimes made their appearance, while
wolves frequently prowled about the quarters of the farmers'
flocks. Small game was abundant. It is said that Muller
paid high prices for game ; for rabbits as high as one dollar
each, and in the same ratio — size and quality considered
— for other animals. He also employed all the spare time
of men and boys to catch trout for his fish-pond, paying
enormous prices for them. Years after, when the dam of
his pond was washed away, the school of large speckled
trout which came down the stream, were a sight to see.
For a long time after, this creek, which had never harbored
a trout before Muller's sojourn, was one of the most prolific
trout brooks in the country.

The ridge west of the Otselic, which was covered with a
dense wilderness later than other sections of the town, har-
bored an occasional panther and wolf to a late day. The
prolonged unearthly scream of a panther was heard by
many along the course of the creek one dark October night
in 1843. It was also seen by different individuals, and was
hunted, but escaped to the south.

As late as 1847, Mr. Sisson, then living on the Muller
farm, had some of his sheep devoured. Evidences con-
vinced him that the destroyer was some species of wild
beast. His suspicions were confirmed by the statements
of others who had seen, at different times, an anim;d resem-
bling a wolf. Hunters scoured the Muller woods and oc-
casionally obtained glimpses of the prowler, whose move-
ments to avoid observation were very cunning, and its
actions very shy. At length his wolfship's quarters were
ascertained to be within a certain radius on the side of the
hill, in the wooers west of the tannery. A force of an hun-
dred armed men, from the village an4 adjacent country,

398 MADISON COUNTY.

volunteered to effect the capture of the aggressor ; which
force, on coming to the Muller woods, formed an extended
circle a^^ound the brute's stronghold. Gradually this circle
narrowed its bounds, scouring every copse, inspecting every
hollow tree or log, and overturning every pile of brush. Step
by step the circle reduced its circumference, until the men
had drawn quite near to each other. Presently a dark ob-
ject moved the foliage of the thick undergrowth ; every
hunter's eye grew keen, every arm grew strong of nerve ;
for here was rare game, to bring down which, would be an
honor. Soon the dark object darted from the cover of its
hiding-place, and made straight to a point where he appar-
ently expected to pass the line of men. "The wolf! the
wolf !" shouted several, while others coolly raised their rifles
and fired. With balls in his body, and stunned with blows
from gun-stocks, the last wolf in Georgetown yielded his
life. He was found to be one of the largest as well as the
last of his race in this section. The trophy was borne in
triumph to the village, and there put on exhibition to sat-
isfy the incredulous and gratify the curious. The lucky
marksman, whose ball first hit the wolf, was a man named
Soules, from the adjoining town of Otselic.

For a time the enterprises of Georgetown were scattered.
There was the store at Bethel Kurd's, which, after Trues-
dale, was kept by Daniel Kurd. Religious meetings here,
made this a place of attraction and of some note. The
Muller village, with its many peculiarities, brought people
from far and near, and trade was lively in consequence.
The mills of Hunt & Bishop, on the Otselic, were, however,
situated in the most feasible locality for business, and peo-
ple were not long in finding it to be a pleasant and advan-
tageous village site. There was the tavern of Payne, on
the southeast corner ; on the opposite corner, southwest,
(the present site of the post office,) stood a large, old fash-
ioned, low, framed house, which was not lathed and plas-
tered, and had a huge Dutch chimney in the center, with

GEORGETOWN. 399

fire-places in every room around it. Burnet Galloway had
a cabinet shop in the north part of this house, and Alexan-
der McEIwain kept tavern in the other part. A store was
kept by a Mr. Dudley. There was, also, a blacksmith and
several other mechanics at this point.

After 18 1 3, the Muller village went down, and Slab City
began to rise. In 1815, by an act of Legislature, Township
No. 6 was set apart from DeRuyter. The inhabitants were
unanimous in their desire to have the town named " Wash-
ington," in honor of our first President ; bjt the Legislature
objected, as there v^^ere several other towns of Washington
in the State ; so, on the recommendation of that body, the
people accepted the illustrious General's christian name,
thus giving us " Georgetown."

The first town officers were : — Capt. William Payne, Su-
pervisor ; Dr. E. Whitmore, Town Clerk ; Ebenezer Hall
and Elijah Brown, Assessors. 'Squire Seth Smith of the
village, and 'Squire Alvord, were two of the first Justices
appointed. This town had been previously honored by
appointments to office of its citizens, when it was a part of
DeRayter. Eleazer Hunt was Justice of the Peace for
that to Vim, appointed in 1806; Daniel Alvord and Josiah
Purdy were Justices in 1808, and Ezra Sexton in 18 10.

John F. Fairchild moved into town in 18 17, and kept a
store on the northwest corner in Georgetown village. He
afterwards kept tavern on the 'Southeast corner. The first
store of importance was built on the site now occupied by
the residence of Mr. Hannibal Priest, on the northeast cor-
ner, and was kept by Mr. Ira B. Howard. Chester Rose
was one of the early store keepers.

Dr. E. Whitmore had been the established physician
since 18 10, and continued to be the favorite among a wide
circle of patrons to the close of a long life, which gave to
Georgetown many years service. He also kept the first
winter school in the village, in the winter of 1810-11. The
school was held in 'Squire Smith's house, near the mill.

400 MADISON COUNTY,

The scholars came from a wide circuit round about ; from
Payne's, Hawks',* Nichols', and from the south line of the
town. Dr. Whitmore was popular in many respects, being
Town Superintendent, Inspector of Common Schools, and
holding many other offices of responsibility and trust. He
was one of the early prominent men.

With Dr. Whitmore, we should name others who were
locally distinguished in the earlier years of the town :-Such
as 'Squire Alvord, a man of worth and integrity; 'Squire
John Brown, the land agent, a man of marked ability ;
'Squire William Payne, who was frequently a town officer,
and a thorough going and influential man ; Capt. Samuel
White, who was for some time a Justice of the Peace, and
active and useful in town proceedings ; Alfred Brown, a
popular teacher, and for a number of years Justice and
School Commissioner ; Rossetter Gleason, a teacher, widely
known as a surveyor, and also a Justice ; Alexander McEl-
wain, popular as a landlord and valuable as a citizen, who
frequently held town offices and was a Commissioner of
Deeds ; Apollos Drake and Olmstead Brown, who were
Constables and Collectors, and held other town offices, and
Elijah Brown, who was active and efficient in town matters^
and a faithful officer.

To this list might be added many others of worth and
local distinction, if we step into the years following 1830,
when Georgetown furnished her proportion of talent, con-
tributed her share of public officers, and yet held in reserve,
men of real worth and true integrity to build up society and
home institutions.

About 1820, a company from Plainfield, Otsego County,
settled in the northern part of the town. William Griffin
was already a resident there on Lot No. 6, and Richard
Salisbury on another lot near by. This company was
composed of Dea. James Babcock, Elijah Tracy, Ephraim
Tracy, William Fish, Jirah Fish and Orrin Chase. These
took up lots near each other west of the present " Line

GEORGETOWN. ^OI

School House," — so called from being situated on the line
between Georgetown and Nelson. Lucius Griffin, now
residing in this neighborhood, is a son of William Griffin ;
Richard Salisbury is still living near Georgetown village.
Mr. Eber Salisbury, who is engaged in manufacturing north
of the village, is a son of the early settler above named.
Some members of the Tracy family still live in town.
Others of this company of long ago and their descendants
have moved away.

In 1823 or '24, the neighborhood last mentioned built a
log meeting house on Lot 17, a short distance west of the
farm house of Lucius Griffin, its site being very near the
corner of the road which turns north. The religious society,
Free Baptists, consisted of some sixty or seventy members,
with Elder Robert Hall as pastor. Orrin Shephard and
James Babcock were deacons. The salary of the minister
was not a stated sum, but, as was common in those days,
was such as the society could afford to give in provisions
and money, and the use of a piece of land upon which the
minister raised his own crops. This church held its own
for ten years, when by removals and deaths it became so
decimated that it disbanded. Many of its surviving mem-
bers united with the Free Church of Northern Nelson.

Up to 1830, the town gained in population rapidly.
Squire John Brown, who had been appointed land agent for
the Ludlow heirs,* exercised good judgment and managed
affairs with such ability, that farms were speedily taken up.
In the south part of the town, to those already mentioned
as settlers, were added, Mann, Thorp, Mack, Upham, Niles,
Day, Chapin, Ballard ; near the center of the town were
the Rays, Wagoners and Barnetts ; and north and east
were the Fletchers and Wickwires, Upon the road laid
out early from the village past the Morrow farm to the Line
School House, were located the Taylors, Morrows, Wilcoxs,

* Squire Asa Ellis, formerly merchant in Georgetown, was subsequently made
agent Lr the Ludlow land. He has recently purchased all remaining unsold.
Z

402

MADISON COUNTY.

Stevens, Turners and Waters, and to the west the
Nichols, Whites, Weeks, Perrys, Buttons, and many-
others whose names we have not obtained.

Agriculture developed ; even at 1830, the farms of the
pioneers had reached a good degree of cultivation, and with
their substantial (though chiefly plain,) farm houses and
capacious barns, indicated plenty and comfort. The
products of the newer sections, in wood, bark and lumber,
found their way to Cazenovia, the chief marketing place ;
these, together with stock raising, were sources of steady
prosperity.

Common schools and religious societies were especially
nurtured as the cherished institutions of a free and progress-
ive people, — institutions in which all, rich and poor, had
an equal interest. One of the first school houses of the
town was built in the Sexton neighborhoo:!, and stood very
near the location of the present one, at the corner of the
road on Lot No. 58. Afterwards the district was divided
and this school house was moved east of Mr. Hawk's, for
the use of that section. The new district formed by the
division, lay at the north, and its school house was erected
near Mr. Atwood's — hence called the "Atwood School
House." This town has also had its select schools, at
intervals, for very many years. One of the best teachers
of earlier times was Rossetter Gleason, before mentioned.

Mr. Gleason was one of the marked characters of the
new country ; a genuine yankee who could turn his hand
to any trade, yet devoted himself chiefly to the practice of
surveying and the business of wool-carding His establish-
ment on the creek north of Georgetown village, where the
saw mill, planing mill, cheese box factory and dwelling
house of Eber Salisbury is located, was well known by the
inhabitants for many miles around. He was for some years
a Justice of the Peace and School Commissioner. As
surveyor he was familliar with every rood of land in George-
town and adjacent territory. He possessed a mind of un-

GEORGETOWN.

403

common fineness, and an elastic, hopeful and genial spirit,
which made him welcome in every home. He pursued his
favorite avocation of surveying up to 1867, when he
removed to the State of Michigan, and there, in the home
of his daughter, Mrs. Mary Cole, he died in the year 1869,
at a very advanced age.

The Baptist and Presbyterian churches were both early
formed. The Presbyterians have the precedence in holding
religious meetings, but it is undoubtedly the fact that Elder
Stephen Olmstead, Baptist, was the first preacher in town.
At intervals, he used to come from his home near Albany
and hold meetings in the neighborhood of the Purdys,
Browns and Olmsteads. The earliest Presbyterian minis-
ter was Elder Benedict. The Presbyterian society built
the first church edifice in town, in 1824. It was located
north of the village, nearly on the site of the pleasant resi-
dence of Wharton D. Utter.

In the village, the present tavern was built by Ebenezer
Hall, about 18 — . Mr. Rose followed John F. Fairchild in
the store on the northwest corner. Mr. Ira B. Howard kept
store on the northeast corner in 1830, moved to Michigan
in 1835, and in 1869 was honored with the position of
County Judge. Samuel Wickwire succeeded him in the
store, and the latter, with his brother Charles, continued it
at a later day under the firm name of " C. & S. Wickwire."
Mosely & Campbell were for a time in business in another
store, where Hare & Savage are now established. Subse-
quently, these two stores were united under the firm name
of " Mosely & Wickwire," and were located on the south-
west corner. Elijah Adkins bought the property on the
northeast corner, and sold goods there for a time, after
which he opened cabinet making and did a fair business in
that line. From that time forward, Georgetown village
grew to be a business center of this section.

The Baptist Church was built about 1835. The Presby-
terian house was moved to the village a few years later. The

404 MADISON COUNTY.

tannery, now (1872,) owned by Hawks & Mack, was built
by William F. Bostwick in 1837 or 1838. This was a desi-
rable addition to the enterprises of the village, and was one
of the sources of prosperity. The tannery of Henry & Gum-
mings was built by Mosely & Wagoner a number of years
later. The latter is a large estabhshment and has done a
heavy business.

Other enterprises have been instituted at more recent
dates ; there is the carriage manufactory of Hawks & Stan-
ton ; the cheese box factory and planing mill of Salisbury
& Son. There are now three dry goods stores in the
village : — That of Savage & Hare, one of the oldest ; the tin
shop and hardware store oi Wm. H. Johnson, one of the
best in the country ; a shoe store and grocery combined ;
two first-class blacksmith shops ; the cheese factory of Sto-
well Brothers, There are three resident physicians : — Drs.
Charles White, George N. Harris and B. Franklin. The
residence of the latter is one of the old landmarks of the
village. The house was built before 1825, by Alexander
McElwain. It has been greatly changed and modern-
ized in its appearance. It was for many years the home of
Dr. Whitmore, and the house in which he died, in 185 1.
The M. E. Church edifice was built by the Free Church in
1847. Brown's Hall, of recent build, is a commodious and
most useful building for all public purposes.

There has been a recent movement to enlarge the village
by laying out new streets, which are to be built up with
good residences. For this purpose, Timothy Brown has
purchased a portion of the Ellis estate, and new streets are
already marked out.

Masonic. — A charter has been obtained and a Masonic
Lodge instituted at Georgetown village, the present sum-
mer (1872,).

In 1850, the plank road through the main valley of the
town was constructed, which united Georgetown vil-
lage more closely with Eaton and Pecksport. Subsequent-

GEORGETOWN.

405

ly, hop growing and dairying have "put money into the
purses " of the inhabitants of Georgetown. Cheese facto-
ries have sprung up in various sections. In all enterprises
the farmers of this town are found to be keeping even pace
with the spirit of the age. In this day of progress, they
could not let the golden opportunity pass which would se-
cure them a railroad ; hence, the inhabitants bonded their
town heavily, and brought the Syracuse and Chenango Val-
ley railroad through, close by the homes where the pioneers
built their first log cabins ; where the first fields of grain,
dotted with stumps, waved in the sun so many summers
ago, and skirting the sacred enclosure where the sorrowing
settler for the first time upturned the virgin earth to re-
ceive the remains of his cherished dead. The town has
long remained inland from thoroughfares, having been here-
tofore less favored, geographically, than the more northern
towns of the county ; but the skill of man has overcome, at
last, all obstacles in the way of railroads, and Georgetown
is henceforth in familiar acquaintance with the great world.

Dr. E. Whitmore was born in East Haddam, Connecti-
cut, in 1784, and while a young man came to Hamilton.
Madison County was fast being settled and was pressing
her invitations to the energetic sons of New England to
come in and help build up the society of the new country.
Dr. Whitmore was from an old New England family, dis-
tinguished for traits of character derived from Puritan an-
cestry, and those peculiar traits and sterling qualities were
especially valuable to him as one of the pioneer physicians.
He studied medicine in Hamilton with Dr. Thomas Greenly.
He there married Miss Susannah Hovey and soon after re-
moved to East Hamilton and commenced the practice of
medicine. In 18 10, he removed to Georgetown, and there
established permanently. In 18 14, he purchased the home-
stead farm, a short distance south of the village, where he
lived till 1834, and where several of his children were born.

406 MADISON COUNTY.

The latter year he purchased a farm in the village of George-
town, and finally bought the house where Dr. Franklin now
lives, where he spent the remainder of his years. In 1838,
the 25 th of December, his wife died at the age of fifty-two.
She had been to him a true helpmeet, and was a most wor-
thy christian (a member of the Presbyterian Church) and
an estimable and honored woman in society. Six sons and
daughters who reached manhood and womanhood, were the
children of this union, and all were living when she died.
These sons and daughters married and some of them settled
in Georgetown ; one son, Russell, resides on the homestead
farm, another, Mr. E. Whitmore, owns a romantic situation
near by.

Dr. Whitmore married, for his second wife, a sister of
James Barnett (well known in this County). She died in
1850, about fifteen months prior to his own death. Two
children were left of this union.

In his profession as physician, he was, however, most at
home. Being careful, and having a cool head, he was re-
markably safe in critical cases. The branch of Obstetrics
had no more noted physician in the country ; h^ was called
far and near, and never in a single instance, it is said, has a
patient in this part of his practice, died while in his care,
and the cases can be numbered by tens of hundreds. He
eschewed surgical operations and artificial means, and pro-
fessed himself to be, only nature's handmaid, to which, un-
doubtedly, in a great measure, is due his remarkable suc-
cess.

Dr. Whitmore was religiously constituted, and his whole
life was influenced by this inborn principle. One particular
verse of an old familiar hymn was a favorite with him from
childhood. All through life, it clung to him, and time after
time he could be heard repeating, or singing : —
" Life is the time to serve the Lord,
The time to insure the great reward,
And while the lamp holds out to burn,
The vilest sinner may return."

GEORGETOWN. 40/

Once when riding alone upon one of his professional tours,
the poet's idea forced itself upon his consciousness with un-
usual vividness. He was deeply convicted, and came out
from the mental 'struggle and the close examination he held
with himself, a true Christian. He then united with the
Presbyterian Church, of which he remained a member till
the close of his life. Although truly devout and consistent
in his christian character, he was never sectarian. It is no-
ticeable that six of his children were converted and united
with the Baptist Church with his approval, all of whom were
baptized in one day. His philanthropic spirit recognized
the brotherhood of all christians and all nations as well ;
hence he was a warm Abolitionist, espousing the cause
when it was exceedingly unpopular.

Although a very energetic man, he was also calm, delib-
erate and methodical in his manner. A practical reasoner,
he looked straight through a matter to the root and did not
suffer trivial circumstances to influence him. These quali-
ties with great integrity, commanded the confidence of his
fellow citizens. He was not desirous of holding office, yet
his town's people were continually placing trusts in his
hands, which to him were repeated proofs of their regard
for and confidence in him, and which he fully appreciated.
He was the first Town Clerk of Georgetown, and held this
office for six years in succession, was then Supervisor for
some years and then again Town Clerk. He was appoint-
ed Postmaster and held that office for nineteen years. He
was for some time Town Superintendent and Inspector of
Common Schools. He felt a great interest in the education
of the masses and as there were no higher schools in
Georgetown on which to bestow his care than common
schools, he aimed to have these as good as the best. Under
the care of his clear and critical judgment, common schools
in this town were placed in excellent standing. Educa-
tional interests have seemed to fall to the care of Mr. Whit-
more and his sons, who, after him, have been repeatedly en-
trusted with school offices.

408 MADISON COUNTY.

Dr. Whitmore retained a remarkable degree of physical
vigor and elasticity, and his mental force was unimpaired up
to the day when he was stricken with paralysis, when after
a short period of suffering he died, November 6, 185 1.

His kindness of heart, his sterling virtues, his noble na-
ture, (albeit he was not without his faults, which were, how-
ever, more peculiarities than faults,) made him beloved
among the people, and his loss was deeply felt So large a
concourse as gathered at his funeral has seldom been wit-
nessed in Georgetown. The Rev. Mr. Gaylord preached
from this most appropriate text : — " And they buried him ;
and all Israel mourned for him." I Kings, XIV Chap.,
1 8th Verse.

CHURCHES.

The Presbyterian CliurcJi of Georgetown, was formed pre-
vious to 181 5. It was a large society, and the only society
in town for many years. The meeting house, the first in
town, was built in 1824, half a mile north of Georgetown
village. About 1840, the house was moved to the village.
In 1845, the " Free Church " was formed of members who
had withdrawn from this. Though decimated in numbers
from this cause, and from deaths and removals, the society
is still a corporate body, and holds its property.

The Methodist Episcopal Church of Georgetown. The
first class of this denomination was formed about 1830, in
the Atwood school house. Rev. J. M. Snyder, who wa
stationed at Earlville, was the first preacher ; Julius Hitch-'
cock was first class leader. About 1833, the first class in
the village was formed. In 1841, the two classes were re-
organized, under one head, at the village. Revs. Wm.
Rounds, Lyman Beach, Henry (or Jesse) Halstead serve
this charge as pastors the first few years. The meeting-
house was built by the " Free Church," about 1847, and of
that society purchased by the Methodists, at a later date.

TJie Baptist Church in Georgetown, was formed Nov. 12
183 1, and consisted of twenty members. Pitts Lawrence

GEORGETOWN. 4O9

was first Deacon, The meeting-house was built in 1834.
The first pastor was Daniel G. Corey, who was ordained in
this church March 5, 1835. Edmund B. Cross, of this
church, became a missionary to southern Asia. The fol-
lowing have been pastors : — Revs. Oliver H. Reed, Nathan
Woods, Reuben L. Warriner, Reuben Parsons, jr., A. Hall,
William C. Hubbard, E. C. Cook, W. B. Morey, S. S. Web-
ber, William Hickery, J. K. Brownson, John R. Haskins
and C. S. Crain.

4IO MADISON COUNTY.

CHAPTER XI.

HAMILTON.

Boundaries. — Geography. — 4th Township ; Its Purchase. — In-
dians.— Curious Relics. — Mary Antone. — Pioneers and their
Experience. — First Courts. — Anecdote. — Payne's Settlement.
— East Hamilton. — Hubbardsville. — Hamilton Center. —
Poolville. — Hamilton Village in 1800. — The Settlement in
1800, 1809, 1812. — Hamilton Academy. — Female Seminary.
— Union School. — Mercantile and Mechanical Industries of
the Village. — Hamilton Bank. — Hamilton Lodge F. & A. M.
— Biograi)hical Sketches of Samuel and Elisha Payne, Gen.
King and others. — Public men, Lawyers and Physicians. —
Madison University. — Rev'. Daniel Hascall ; Dr. Kendrick. —
Earlville. — Churches. — Newspapers.

Hamilton is bounded on the north by Madison, east by
Brookfield, south by Chenango County and west by Leb-
anon. The surface is a rolling upland, broken by the valley of
the Chenango River and its eastern branch. High ridges bor-
der the stream in the south part of the town. At Hamil-
ton village and north, the valley is spreading and beautiful,
and this village rests in a spacious vale nearly encircled by
the eastern, southern and western hills. The valleys of
the Chenango are fertile, the soil consisting of a gravelly,
sandy loam. The eastern part of the town, rough and
uneven in its contour, has most excellent grazing farms,
while its soil is of a clayey loam resting on a clay subsoil.

The old, well known Skaneateles Turnpike crossed this
town, entering at Hamilton village, passing to East Hamil-
ton, thence to Clarksville, in Brookfield. The road is to

HAMILTON. 4ri

this day characterized for its mathematical directness, over
high hills and through deep valleys, with no possible varia-
tion on account of steep passes. The older Utica and
Oxford Turnpike entered the northeast corner, crossed the
town, passing out at the southwest corner, at Earlville.
This, like the other turnpike, pursued an undeviating course,
over mountainous ridge, or hillock, as the case might be. We
are to remember, however, that the surface of the country
was hidden by a heavy forest, and the surveying engineer,
with an undertaking before him as great as now would be
the laying out of a railroad, spent no time or money in
looking up feasible routes in the wilderness, but laid his
lines, as he followed his undeviating compass. The Utica
and Oxford Turnpike long ago dispensed with its numerous
taverns, as they lost their revenue when the Chenango
Canal was built, for Utica and Oxford and the intervening
villages transferred their transportation from the heavy
wagons to the canal boat. Now, the Utica, Chenango and
Susquehanna Valley Railroad, having found the easy grades
along the route of the old turnpike, is performing more than
the work of both canal and turnpike. This railroad opens
to communication with the world, a rich agricultural
countr)^ in which eastern and southern Hamilton has its share.

The Chenango Canal, built in 1836 and ''>^'j, follows the
Chenango River along the west border of the town, pass-
ing through Hamilton village, Middleport, in the border of
Lebanon, and leaves the county at Earlville.

The Chenango River becomes a feeder for the canal.
The most easterly branch of this stream has several fine
mill sites along its course, the most available being at
Poolville and at Earlville, (once called the Forks,) where it
unites with the main stream.

The Utica, Clinton and Binghamton Railroad, following
the line of the Chenango Canal, again divides the work of
transportation, so that to-day the number of boats plying
upon the canal has become greatly lessened.

412 MADISON COUNTY.

The town of Hamilton was formed from Paris, March 5,
1795, and named in honor of the patriot, Alexander Hamil-
ton. Its territory embraced four townships of the " Che-
nango Twenty Towns," which was reduced by Eaton, Leb-
anon and Madison being taken off in 1807.

The first town meeting was held in the house of Elisha
Payne, on the first Tuesday in April, 1795. Joshua Le-
land was voted Supervisor, and Elijah Blodgett, Town
Clerk.

Hamilton, or " 4th Township," began to receive attention
from emigrants as early as 1792. In April, (the i6th day,)
1794, William S. Smith received from the State a patent for
4th Township, which, according to the statement of the
Surveyor General, contained 24,400 acres. A transfer was
soon after made, and the English proprietor. Sir William
Pultney, came in possession of the town, though William S.
Smith received some of the fine land in the Chenango .val-
ley, which he sold to settlers.

From the English company, Dominick Lynch purchased
the title to most of the Township. It is said that he
was so much gratified by the sale of the first five hundred
acres of land, at twenty shillings per acre, that he paid five
dollars more than usual, to have the deed of conveyance en-
grossed on parchment, which is yet held in the family.

The town of Hamilton, which, at the present day, exhib-
its to the eye of the traveler such broad, rich and beautiful
farms, handsome dwellings, and which bears such evidences
of that substantial progress in business and learning which
belongs to older countries, was, eighty years ago, when the
pioneer first set foot upon her soil, a vast sweeping wilder-
ness, still tenanted by the Oneidas and Stockbridges, who
fished in her streams, hunted her deer, encamped in her
valleys, and made their journeys through her territory, to
and from the Susquehanna. The New York State docu-
ments and papers, cite us to their occupation of this land
three hundred years ago, and from time to time point to

HAMILTON.

413

their joiirneyings down the Chenango to their own Susque-
hanna lands. The pioneer found their well-worn trail, and
their camping grounds upon the flat near the Forks, (Earl-
ville,) which were readily designated by Indian implements
being scattered all about their deserted camp fires — not
wholly deserted, foi they annually came and spent a season
in basket-making, to a period as late as 18 15.
j Within the memory of our younger inhabitants, the
Stockbridge tribes, with an old chief, Konkerpot, as their
I leader, used to visit Fisherman's Pond, on the farm of O. B.
Lord, Esq., near Poolville, where, under a pair of large
cherry trees, they made their baskets.

Year by year, as the plowman upturns the soil, some
relic is brought to the surface, such as hatchets, arrow-
heads, pipes, stone pestles, &c., implements similar to those
I found in other localities. It is not a long time since Squire
I Lord picked up, on his farm above named, two specimens
I of Indian antiquity, the like of which we have not seen else-
I where. They were stones somewhat in the shape of human
heads. Holes were chisled out to represent the eyes — or
eye-sockets — and a place cut to represent the mouth. In
the center of those eye-sockets, is curiously wrought in
what might indicate the sight of the eye ; a bright spot of
flint in those oi one, and of white sandstone in the other.
Both these specimens are common cobble stones, the largest
being the lightest colored, and which has, also, three round
holes drilled, or chiseled, in the back of the head. If we
were to decipher the meaning of those holes, we should say
that the person whom this was designed to represent, was
killed by being shot twice in the head from behind, one ball
passing out at the top of the head. Indian hieroglyphics
mean much more than we can decipher, and the light color
of this head, the perpendicular forehead, the dimple chiseled
in the chin, the light sand stone eye-sight, the bullet holes
in the head, have a strange story of their own, which we
should be glad to read.

414 MADISON COUNTY.

The trail which the Indians kept well worn, came from
Oneida Creek and passed down the Chenango branch
through the west part of Hamilton. Two miles below Ham-
ilton village was a frequent camping ground.

One winter, about 18 10, a company of about seventy en-
camped here and built their wigwams ; lived for some
months, and made their baskets ; roamed about the forest
and among the settlers ; hunted a little and exhibited their
wild customs considerably, all winter. However, they ap-
peared to be rather peaceably disposed, and the white in-
habitants on the west side of the creek became quite accus-
tomed to their wild whoops and savage habits.

The tragedy in which Mary Antone acted a horrible
part, occurred here a few years later. The party to which
she and the Antone family belonged, had encamped upon
land now known as the farm of J. D. Smith, Esq., and
erected seven large wigwams. It was in autumn, and they
were intending to spend the winter here. The young squaw
toward whom Mary felt such a vindictive hatred, was fine
looking, but was spoken of by some of the Indians, as " no
good." She had been maneuvering to captivate the atten-
tion of Mary's Indian, a young Stockbridge, to whom, it is
said, Mary had been some time married, according to the
Indian form. The girl was making a basket for Mrs. Han-
nah Waters, of Hamilton village, and was in the act of
puttmg in the handle, when Mary came upon her suddenly,
and struck her with an Indian knife. Not satisfied with one
blow, she repeated it, until she had inflicted seven wounds
in her right side, which produced her death. Mary made
some little effort to conceal herself in the woods, but was
found, with very little difficulty, behind a log, curled up like
a wild animal. She, however, immediately resumed her
proud bearing, for she possessed a good form and rather
handsome features. She then appeared twenty years of
age, or thereabouts. She manifested a remarkable indiffer-
ence as to her fate, and when told that she would be hung

HAMILTON. 415

for the murder, she repHed that she did not care, and signi-
fied that had the girl Hved, she would at some future time
have taken her life. She added : " She got away my In-
dian, and deserved to die."

Mary was put in irons and held in confinement for a few
days at Mr. Howard's tavern in Hamilton. Howard kept
the house which is now kept by Mr. Ingalls. In this house
the jury of inquest held their consultation.*

Of the jurors who were impanneled on the inquest, both
ante and post mortem, the following are a part of the names :
— Gen. Nathaniel King, Daniel Smith, Elisha Payne, Azel
Tinney, Jabin Armstrong and Samuel Payne. Of these
men, only Jabin Armstrong is now living.

There was great excitement attending the trial, which
Abram Antone contended was no business of the white
man's. He believed that the laws of New York had no ju-
risdiction over the Indians. The Oneida Chief was con-
sulted, who gave her up to be tried by our courts. This
proceeding Antone treated with contempt, declaring the
chief's authority to be no greater than his own in such a
case. Indeed, it is said by some that by right Antone was
an Oneida Chief. The head Chief of that nation was con-
sidered an enemy to Antone.

During her stay at Hamilton, many persons visited her,
to whom at first she was quite communicative, although she
could speak English but brokenly. Her father brooded about
the premises with a sullen cloud upon his brow, till he ob-
tained an interview with Mary. After this she answered
no more questions of the bystanders. She was removed
from here to the jail at Whitestown, and after her trial was
hung at Peterboro. Throughout the whole proceeding, in
her trial and at her execution, even in her latest moments,
she appeared extremely cool and indifferent.

John Jacobs, an Indian, the principal witness against
her, and who was most active in her arrest, became ever

* William White, of Hamilton, Deputy Sheriff", captured Mary Antone.

4l6 MADISON COUNTV.

after the object of her father's hatred, whose murder by
Antone, a few years later, and the subsequent events con-
nected with Antone's hfe, created an excitement which can
never be forgotten so long as the generation of that day
exists.*

Fourth Township was not, however, regarded as the
rightful home of the Indian. The Clinton Treaty of 1788,
had invested the State of New York with its ownership, and
its doors were thrown open to the white settler.

In the winter of 1792, John Wells and Abner Nash, from
Paris, Oneida County, N. Y., formerly from Amherst,
Massachusetts, came on snow shoes and selected a location
in the southern part of the town, on the east branch of the
Chenango River, a short distance east from where the vil-
lage of Earlville now stands, and returned to Paris. In the
spring of the same year John Wells and his wife, Abner
Nash, Patrick Shields and John Muir, the two latter from
Scotland, left Paris with their goods and chattels, all of
which were drawn on an ox sled, and, guided by marked
trees, penetrated the wilderness. Mrs. Wells was pro-
vided with a horse on which she carried her infant son
William, about one year of age. Their route was on the
west side of the cedar swamp, between Waterville and
Hamilton. Coming to the east branch of the Chenango
which was swollen by recent rains, a new difficulty present-
ed itself Nothing daunted, Mrs. Wells urged her noble
horse into the stream, and he swam over with Mrs. Wells
clinging to the saddle and her child in her arms. Their
goods were ferried over in an old canoe, the oxen swimming
the river and drawing the empty sled. Soon after, they
reached their new homes in safety.

During the summer of the same year, Mrs. Wells, learn-
ing that there was a white woman about tweh^e or fourteen
miles distant, in the town of Norwich, went on horseback,
following marked trees, and made her a visit, there being
no other white woman within that distance.

* See Appendix,

HAMILTON. 417

Those four pioneer settlers took up a body of land on
both sides of the Chenango River and then divided it. Ho-
ratio Sholes now lives where they settled. The first and
only animals driven into town and owned by these pioneers,
consisted of one yoke of oxen, two cows and two hogs.
Mrs. Wells brought a small dog in her saddle bag, which
was nearly drowned, being wholly submerged in crossing
the Chenango.

John Wells commenced keeping a public house imme-
diately after his arrival, for numerous emigrants and those
"looking land" were finding their way to the "Twenty
Townships."

Patrick Shields was a native of Scotland, who came over
with the British in the Revolutionary war. He was wound-
ed in the battle of Bunker Hill, taken prisoner, and re-
mained here afterward.

The first living white child of the town was Harry, son of
John Wells ; the second was Horace, son of Abner Nash.
On the premises of the first settler the first store of the
town was kept by a Mr. Church. The first grist mill of the
town known to the remembrance of the earliest living in-
habitants, was conducted by Reuben Slater, Poolville.

In the year 1793, Squire Reuben Ransom took up the
farm which has been known for years as the " Adon Smith
farm."

In 1794, Samuel Payne and his wife became the pioneers
of Hamilton village. They settled on the land now occu-
pied by Madison University.

In 1795, Elisha Payne, Theophilus, Benjamin and Wil-
liam Pierce, Jonathan Olmstead, Daniel and Nathan Fos-
ter, all from Lebanon, Connecticut, with their families,
joined Mr. Payne in the charming location he had selected.
Samuel Stower, from the same place, came in 1797. The
same year Dr. Thomas Greenly, the pioneer physician,
came in from Connecticut. Samuel Stower took up eighty
acres, having purchased it of the first proprietors, and lo-

A2

411

MADISON COUNTY

cated his residence east of where the Seminary buildings
on Broad street now are. Dr. Greenly located on the
same street where is now the residence of Mr. Mott. Ben-
jamin Pierce, Esq., built the house now owned and occu-
pied by Professor Beebe. In this hospitable house the
lawyers, justices and judges of the early day, used to stop,
when here at County courts, sharing Mr. Pierce's generous
board during each term.

Deacon Jonathan Olmstead, located about a mile south
of the village, a little below University Hill, whei^ he built
the farm house still standing.

Before 1800, John Pomeroy, Herman Jordan, Timothy
Rogers, Abijah Sprague, Otis Howe, Stephen Brainard,
Edward Bonney, Ichabod Wheeler, Mr. Orton and Dr.
Josiah Rogers, had settled in various localities in the
town. Many of these settlers were men of property, whose
means enabled them to invest considerably in lands, and to
make substantial improvements.

Upon the Chenango, in this genial soil, sprang into life
the germ of the village of Hamilton, which, for years, in
honor of the pioneers, bore the name of Payne's Settle-
ment.

Such men as constituted this settlement, men of
means, of culture and of public spirit, were needed to en-
gage in the momentous questions involved in the formation
of "government for the swiftly populating new country.
Most heartily did they engage their talents, and from the
earliest date they have been prominent in the public histo-
ry of our county.

The first record we have of this section being represented
in the courts of our government bears the date of 1794.
This county then lay in the boundaries of Herkimer, and
this town in the town of Paris. The Court was a term of
the Herkimer Common Pleas and General Sessions, held at
the Meeting House in New Hartford, town of Whitestown,
on the third Tuesday m January, 1794. Henry Staring,

HAMILTON.

419

Judge ; Jedediah Sanger and Amos Wetmore, Justices ;
William Colbraith, Sheriff ; Jonas Piatt, Clerk, Among
the list of Grand Jurors present, we find the name of Duty
Lapham, one of Madison County's pioneer settlers, whose
name is honorably and well known from an early period by
the inhabitants of Hamilton.

An anecdote of this first Court is thus related by Wm.
Tracy, Esq., in his lectures before the Young Men's Asso-
ciation of Utica, N. Y. :

" A gentleman who attended the Court as spectator, in-
forms me that the day was one of those cold January days
frequent in our climate, and that in the afternoon, and
when it was near night, in order to comfort themselves in their
by no means very well appointed court room, and to keep the
blood at a temperature at which it would continue to circulate,
some of the gentlemen of the bar had induced the Sheriff t'> pro-
cure from a neighboring inn a jug of spirits. This, it must be
remembered, was before the invention of temperance societies.
Upon the jug's appearing in Court, it was passed around the
bar table, and each of the learned counselors in his turn up-
raised the elegant vessel, and descanted into his mouth, bv the
simplest process imaginable, so much as he deemed a sufficient
dose of the delicious fluid. While the operation was going on,
the dignitaries of the bench, who were no doubt suffering quire
as much with the cold as their brethren at the bar, had a little
consultation, when the first Judge announced to the audience
that the Court saw no reason why they should hold open Court
any longer, and freeze to death, and desired the crier forthwith^
to adjourn the Court. Before, however, this functionary could
commence with a single ' Hear ye,' ('ol. Colbraith jumped up,
catching, as he rose, the jug from the lawyer who was compli-
menting its contents, and holding it up toward the bench, hasti-
ly ejaculated : 'Oh ! no, no, no. Judge — don't adjourn yet ; take
a litile gin, Judge ; that will keep you warm ; 'taint time to ad-
journ yet ;' and suiting the action to the word, he hande i his
honor the jtig. It appeared there was force in the Sheriff's ad-
vice, for the order to adjourn was revoked, and business went
on."

From this date, all Courts of this County were held at

Whitestown till 1798, when, by an act passed the 15 th day

of March of that year, Herkimer County was divided, and

Chenango County was formed from this and Tioga County.

It fell to the lot of Hamilton and her sister towns, to be in-

420 MADISON COUNTY.

eluded in the County with the pleasant sounding Indian
name, Chenango, and for eight years lay within its domain.

After the formation of Chenango, courts were formed
within its boundaries, and the first Court of Common Pleas
was held in Hamilton, in the log school house near the
house of Elisha Payne, in June, 1798 ; Isaac Foote, of the
8th Township, (now Smyrna,) presiding as first Judge ; Joab
Enos and Joshua Leland, Judges ; Oliver Norton and
Elisha Payne, assistant Justices ; Uri Tracy, Sheriff ; Sid-
ney Breese, Clerk ; John L. Mersereau, Surrogate. The
courts were held alternately at Hamilton and Oxford until
1806.

Judge Foote, who held this office for ten years, was the
first member of the Legislature appointed to represent the
interests of the people of this region when it was included
in the County of Herkimer.

The first jail limits were established by Court of Com-
mon Pleas, at Sherburne Four Corners, in July, 1799, ^^^
the jail at Whitestown served for this county until 1808,
and for Madison County until 1812.

After the formation of Madison County, in 1806, the
Courts were held alternately at the school house near Da-
vid Barnard's, in Sullivan, (now Lenox,) and at the school
house in Hamilton village. The first officers were, Peter
Smith, first Judge ; Edward Green, Sylvanus Smalley,
Elisha Payne and David Cook, Associate Judges ; Asa B.
Sizer, County Clerk ; Jeremiah Whipple, Sheriff; Thomas
H. Hubbard, Surrogate.

It will here be seen that the town of Hamilton early acted
a most important part in establishing Courts of justice for
the protection of the rights and interests of the people.
However, owing to the peaceful nature of the inhabitants,
there appears to be no great amount of business previous to
1800, while at the Circuit Court of this District, held July
10, 1798, in the town of Oxford, Judge Piatt presiding,
there was no business transacted at this or the second term,
for want of litigants.

HAMILTON. 421

Since Hamilton embraced (until [807,) the towns of Leb-
anon, Eaton and Madison, many of those who gathered up
their effects, and took up their westward journey to become
settlers of Hamilton, Chenango County, and who located
within this then well known town, became in reality the
pioneer settlers of Eaton, Lebanon and Madison. However,
town lines did not separate those who were joined by a
common interest, and the roads through the wilderness,
which were only designated by marked trees, in the begin-
ning, and which were now assuming some faint appearances
of a highway, were as often traversed in their visits to each
other as in the olden days when all dwelt in one town.

The privations and want suffered in so many new settle-
ments, were never so severely experienced in this hamlet.
The nearest grist mill was at Brookfield, but owing to the
roughness of the country between, no roads having been
opened in that direction, this mill did not supply them.
From the first, the route to New Hartford had been kept
open, and was quite passable for that day, and from the
grist mill at that place the settlers of Hamilton received
their supplies of meal and flour, or got their grists of corn
and rye, ground. However, the wooden mortar and pestle
were quite frequently resorted to in pounding corn for fam-
ily use. The building of the first grist mill was a new era
in the prosperity of this section, and the man who built it be-
came thereby a benefactor to his race and a blessing to com-
munity. The first grist mill of this vicinity was built by
Daniel Wheeler, about the year 1797, on the site of the
present Armstrong mill, in the town of Lebanon, adjacent
to the town of Hamilton. We mention it in this connec-
tion because of its proximity to, and close alliance with the
progress of this town, and was, moreover, for several years
the only mill upon which a large section of the country de-
pended.

A few years later, this mill, then owned by Daniel and
Elisha Wheeler, was burned. A new stone had just been

422

MADISON COUNTY.

brought from Albany, and repairs to some extent had been
made on the mill, with the object in view of starting it anew
with two run of stone. The fire caught in the night from
a kettle of coals kept in the mill for warmth ; stoves having
never been introduced into the country at that day. The
mill was nearly in ruins ere any one was aroused f )m their
slumbers. The loss, being a severe one to the community,
created considerable excitement, and before mid-day a large
crowd had gathered from many miles around. Some came
with their sleighs loaded with provisions and grain, which
they tendered freely to the use of the troubled miller, who
they well knew had suffered heavily in the loss of his stores
of grain. A decision was made upon the ground, by the
leading men, that the mill must be immediately rebuilt, and
before night the plan was arranged, and next day the work
commenced. In a short time Wheeler's Mill was perform-
ing its usual routine of labor.

Although log houses were the fashion, with their big
stick chimneys, through whose broad opening the children
could count hosts of stars at night, yet the saw mill of
Ichabod Wheeler in Hamilton village, was bringing about
a revolution in style, and as early as 1806, frame additions
had been joined to many of these log buildings. These
became the parlors of our grandmothers, and were ceiled
with broad pine boards, specimens of which cannot be
found at this day, only in the relics of some of these
ancient houses. Many of the floors of these primitive tene-
ments were made of split bassvvood logs, hewn so smooth
and joined so nicely that not a splinter could be found, and
which these ladies vied with each other in keeping of a
chalky whiteness. The most aristocratic parlors were perfect-
ly innocent of carpets or mahogany upholstery; but was
familiar with water, soap, sand and rushes — with splint
bottomed chairs and tall posted, canopied bedsteads ; while
the hum of the spinning wheel, the clang of the loom, the
trumpet notes of the dinner warning conch shell, the cheery

HAMILTON. 423

voices of large families, made music throughout the
dwelling. These ladies were healthy, superior women, and
in the language of one of them, Mrs. Lapham, who still
survives,* hale and really fine looking, though at the
advanced age of ninety-two, they "took solid comfort."

We suspect that the wisdom of the pioneer women of
Hamilton, became a quiet but powerful influence in the fur-
therance of progress and prosperity in this flourishing town.
From the knowledge we have of them, they may be counted
among those noble women of whom Solomon says : " She
looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not
the bread of idleness," and " She openeth her mouth with
wisdom, and in her tongue is the law of kindness.

From an anecdote related of one of the pioneer women,
which occurred at an early day, we cannot for a mo-
ment doubt the power, however unobtrusive it may have
been, ot such women in shaping the destinies of the rising
generation, as well as greatly mfluencing that of their hus-
bands.

In that day, the luxuries of the family board among the
wealthiest, were few, in comparison to the present, and it
was no uncommon thing if the housewife's larder became
nearly empty.

* The above statement was made August 1868. Mrs. Lapham has since died.
From the Dispatch is the following obituary : — Mrs Amanda Lapham died at the
residence of her son-in-law, Mr. L. Joslyn, in Eaton, April 22,1869, at the advanced
age of 92. Mrs Laphim was one of the first settlers of the tjwn of Lebanon,
her husband, Daniel Wheeler, being one of the most enterprising of the pioneers,
and by whose untimely death in 1806, the wife lost a truly kind companion, and
community a worthy citizen. Widowed and the mother of five young children,
yet like the true women, as all our pioneer mothers were, she courageously bore her
trials and managed her alfairs with enterprising assiduity. Mrs. Wheeler was one
of the seven who comp )sed the First Baptist Church of Hamilton when it was
first organized, and when Elder Olmstead was pastor, and from that day to the close
of her long, eventful life, she was an earnest, consistent Christian. In later lite
she became the wife of Dea. Lapham, who was long and honorably known to the
people of Hamilton and vicinity. Mrs Lapham was the mother of the wife of
Rev Jonathn Wade, missionary to Birmah. Remarkable vigor, symmetry, and
activity of body, as well as strength and clearness of mind, characterized Mrs.
Liphjin in her old age, and which did not fail her until her last illness, which was
not of long duration.

424 MADISON COUNTY.

An occasion of this nature had happened in the house-
hold of one of the first families of Hamilton. While at

breakfast, Mrs. had said to her husband : " My dear, I

have nothing in the house to cook for dinner. We have no
meat, no potatoes, no flour, no butter — indeed, there is
nothing !" The lady's good humored husband made no re-
mark, appearing to think nothing of the matter, concluded
his breakfast by despatching the remaining viands upon the
breakfast table, rose and went about his business, w^histling,
utterly forgetting that he needed another meal of victuals.

Not so with Mrs. , who began to devise some plan, not

so much to produce the noonday meal, which she knew her
husband was able to supply, as to cure him of his habit of
carelessness. She accordingly made a closer inspection
throughout the house to procure something to cook, which
resulted in her obtaining about half a teacup of Indian meal,
which she brushed from the meal chest. This she boiled
with water, which, when done, made a pudding about the
size of a teacup. She then spread the dinner table with
order, which was her usual habit, placed her pudding upon
a plate, covered it with a bowl, and sat it in the center. Her
better half arrived at noon, and both sat down to the meal.
Glancing across the table, he remarked, " Well, my dear,
where are the victuals ?" " Here," she replied, archly, as she
uncovered the pudding. Further comment was needless.
He now remembered, probably for the first time, the state-
ment she had made in the morning. Good naturedly, and
inwardly pleased by his wife's wit, he dispatched himself
forthwith for the substantials, from which in a short time

his lady prepared a comfortable dinner. Mrs. never

afterwards had occasion to bring her ingenuity to a similar
test. This same gentleman was repeatedly chosen to posi-
tions of honor, and was eminently popular and beloved by
all. In our opinion, it is a foregone conclusion, that the
tact and wisdom of such wives as this, go far toward the
making of such noble men.

HAMILTON. 425

Many enterprising farmers joined the settlement begun
by Messrs. Wells, Nash, Shields and Muir on the rich lands
about the valley of the Chenango, eastern branch, and soon
had productive farms under cultivation. Among them were
Abijah Snow, Elijah, Zenas and Thomas Nash, Lucius
Crane, James Williams and others. Ebenezer Colson came
to this section as late as 18 15, and spent the rest of his life
here. Justus Shattuck came about 18 14, and settled near-
ly half way between Earlville amd Poolville, and set up the
clothier trade, which business he continued for many years.

A settlement was commenced in 1796, in the east part
of the town, called "Colchester," now East Hamilton. The
inhabitants, being chiefly emigrants from Colchester, Ct.-.
gave it the name of their native town. The Ackleys, Cal-
vin, Rodney and Eli, three brothers, were conspicuous
among the pioneers of Colchester. Some of their children
are in possession of the excellent farms these men took up.

Silas Clark, Stephen Brainard, Elisha Brainard, William
Shephardson, Reuben Foote, Rufus Clark, Dr. Noah B.
Foot were well known citizens of this section in the early
days. Ezekiel Lord settled with William Lord about two
miles south of East Hamilton. Dea. Stevens settled near
Hamilton Center. David Dunbar and Calvin Hubbard be-
came citizens of Hubbardsville.

East Hamilton, or " Colchester Settlement," was a
place of some note in the days when turnpike traveling was
popular. The Utica and Oxford Turnpike was crossed by
the Skaneateles Turnpike in this village. The hotel of
Silas Clark was then known far and wide, for Mr. Clark
was a popular landlord. He was in this hotel at an early
day, and continued until business pretty much ceased on
those roads.

At present. East Hamilton has about thirty dwelling
houses, one store, one tavern, a neat Methodist Church, a
post office and a few mechanics' shops.

Hubbardsville, contiguous to East Hamilton, became,

426 MADISON COUNTY.

at quite an early day, a pleasant country settlement, with a
tavern, store, gristmill, tannery, and a few mechanics' shops.
Mr. Eleazer Hunt, whose name occurs as the pioneer miller
of Georgetown, built the grist mill at Hubbardsville. It has
been, all its years, a most needed and useful institution, and
the name of Hunt's mill justly had a wide reputation. Sher-
ebiah Hunt, Eleazer's son, succeeded to the property, and
a great many years perpetuated the name. It is now owned
by P. T. Brownell. The old tannery was converted into a
distillery, which, finally, under the pressure of temperance
efforts, closed.

Nathan Brownell was at one time quite extensively en-
gaged in the mercantile business here, having his store
on the corner opposite the store now kept by Mr. Nash.

About 1835, 3. select school was established at Hubbards-
ville, which was taught by a Mr. Niles of Lebanon. It was
largely patronized. This school continued with varied suc-
cess, yet maintaining an excellent reputation, when it was
incorporated in the year 1850, as the Hubbardsville Acade-
my. This was due the enterprise of the citizens, and the
exertions of Prof P. Woods, who was the first teacher after
the charter was granted. The school was very successfully
conducted for a time. It has since become extinct. In
1837, the school building was erected.

At present, Hubbardsville has one store, Clark Nash,
proprietor, a post office, grist mill, saw mill, and a fine
school house, where religious meetings are held.

Calvin Hubbard, from whom this place is named, is still
living, at a very advanced age. He has been a successful
farmer, as his broad and well tilled acres show. Those
beautiful maples along the street, from Hubbardsville to the
Center, were set out by him.

David Dunbar, also an early settler of Hubbardsville, was
another superior farmer. James H. Dunbar, son of David
Dunbar, purchased a farm of H. P. Potter, and being an ac-
tive, energetic man, he became one of the most scientific

HAMILTON. 427

farmers of this section. He was awarded the first premium
by the Madison County Agricultural Society, in 185 1, as
having the best cultivated farm in the county.

A rich farming country surrounds Hubbardsville, East
Hamilton, and extends to the southward along the Chenan-
go. It betokens good soil and well directed labor and care
of the husbandman. Undoubtedly, competition has stimu-
lated effort. Fine farm houses are everywhere to be seen,
and the town exhibits no more beautiful farms in all her
borders. It is one of the great hop growing localities of the
State. Hubbardsville is the home of the prominent hop
contractor, Mr. Charles Green.

The Ackley farmers of East Hamilton, have been con-
spicuous in agricultural societies, having frequently been
awarded premiums for their stock.

The large farm taken up by Ezekiel Lord, (two miles
south of East Hamilton on the old turnpike,) is one of the
best of that section, and is now under superior cultivation
under the care of his grandson, O. B. Lord, Esq., who
owns it. The Lord farmers have been foremost among ag-
riculturists.

Stephen Brainard was one of the early successful farmers
and public spirited citizens, so useful in all communities, and
especially valuable in the new country.

The Nash family, who were among the earliest settlers of
this section of Hamilton, were from Plainfield, Herkimer
County. Their descendants are numerous in various parts
of the town. Clark Nash, Esq., merchant at Hubbards-
ville, is of this family.

Hamilton Center. — As in several towns in this county,
the center was selected by some of the inhabitants as the
place for the village of the town, and in Hamilton Center
the first Congregational Church of the town was built,
about 1800.

428 MADISON COUNTY.

Prominent among the early members were the names
of Patrick Shields and wife, Abijah Snow, Abijah Poole, Eli
Ackley, Elisha Swift, Daniel Nash, Thomas Foster and his

wife, Mrs. Hubbard, Dea. Jonathan Stevens, Stephen

Brainard, Ezekiel Lord, and many others of the early set-
tlers. About 1 840 the church was removed from the Cen-
ter to Poolville.

The Universalist Church was established by Rev. Na-
thaniel Stacy, the widely known and gifted evangelist of
that denomination.

In the center burial ground, nearly all the early settlers
were buried, and so loved and sacred has the spot been held
by the families, that many of their members, dying while
sojourning in distant places, have been returned to mingle
their dust with their kindred.

The proposed village at the Center, however, did not
thrive, for as soon as business men saw better prospects in
other localities they hastened to avail themselves of such
facilities. There is now some twelve or fifteen dwelling
houses at the Center, and the Universalist Church.

Southwest of East Hamilton, and a half mile south of
Poolville, on the old turnpike, there used to be a tavern
which held forth for many years, for the benefit of the turn-
pike. Its proprietor, Moses Campbell, owned an ashery,
near by, which, as many as fifty years ago, was the center
of a great excitement, it being the resort and hiding-place
of counterfeiters. They were detected in their nefarious
proceeding ; the officers of the law came in upon them,
broke up their gang, and some of the number found a home
in State Prison.

Poolville. — About 1825, this village received its name
from thte Messrs. Poole, who built up its manufacturing
works. Mr. James Williams was one of the early propri-
etors of the soil.

HAMILTON.

429

Isaac Poole was first engaged in the Shattuck clothier
mill, south of Poolville. In 1825, the Pooles built a woolen
factory, in the firm name of Isaac & Randall- Poole. It was
a small establishment, where, chiefly, satinets were made.
This was one of the first woolen factories of this county.

In 1826, Caleb Loud ^nd Elias Hunt came from Boston,
and set up a boot and shoe manufactory, the business being
carried on under the firm name of Amos & Isaac Poole.
The boot and shoe factory employed from thirty to forty
women, and the wholesale business was quite extensive.
Mr. Loud also built a tannery, the one now owned by Mr.
Henry Berry.

In 1827, Mr. Randall Poole was killed by accident, which
caused a change in the firm name. Mr. Poole's death cre-
ated a great deal of excitement. We have the following
statements concerning the lamentable affair : Mr. Poole had
entered the factory early, to open the gate preparatory to
starting the wheel, for the water was frozen about it. While
engaged in this work, and alone, he received a fatal blow
upon his head, in what manner it is not known ; the appear-
ances only left his friends to conjecture that it was probably
from the slipping of some implement he was using as a lever,
or from something falling. He was found, not long after,
lying upon the ice, dying. This occurred Dec. 12, 1827.

After this, Amos Poole belonged to the factory firm, and
later, Mr. Loren Snow* joined his name to the Pooles.

In 1830, Mr. Enos Wood moved into Poolville, and set
up a machine shop, and there made factory machinery, in
which he was engaged for several years.

About 1835, Mr. Nathan Eaton removed to Poolville and
purchased the Poole factory. Mr. Eaton improved the

* Loren Snow was one of the first men of the village, a thorough-going, active
business man, a main pillar in church and society. He was an architect and builder
by trade, and prosecuted that business to a large extent. In many of the villages of
this county are fine and substantial buildings constructed by Dr. Loren Snow. He
subsequently removed to Freeport, lllinoi , where he died, and where members of
h s family still reside.

430 MADISON COUNTY.

works, opened a store, and run a large ashery in connection.
He prosecuted a large business for a number of years.

During the period between 1830 and '40, Poolville, with
her various manufactories, her shops, stores and tavern,
was wearing an air of thrift and enterprise unheard of be-
fore. The Congregational Church was removed here, and
a Methodist Society had been organized, (they subsequently
built themselves a house of worship,) many tasteful cottages
had been built, and altogether, it was a very pretty and live-
ly village.

There came a time, however, when woolen manufactories
declined throughout the country. This mill at Poolville,
like others, run down, and the business was finally given up
and the mill sold.' It was in time converted into a grist mill
which is now owned by Mr. James Jackson. The boot and
shoe firm removed, and that business ceased. Mr. Enos
Wood removed to Pierceville where he continued his ma-
chine works for the Pierce Factory Co. In Poolville, Mr.
Allen Wood, now senior member of the firm of Wood, Ta-
bor & Morse, of the Engine Works at Eaton, first started as
machinist with his uncle, Enos Wood.

There is now in Poolville, one store, one tavern, some
mechanic shops, a saw mill, grist mill, tannery, and about
thirty dwelling houses, and the M. E. Church.

In South Hamilton, one William Comstock, suffering
with delirium tremens, killed his father and mother with a
spider, cut out their hearts and roasted them on a stove.
He plead guilty and was sent to State Prison during life.
He is now living, an old grey headed man, having been a
prisoner fourteen years, and is the oldest prisoner in that
institution.

HAMILTON VILLAGE.

Lots No. I and 2, and Nos. 19 and 20, which make the
village corporation, were purchased — No. i by Timothy

HAMILTON. 431

Rogers, Daniel Brown and Thomas Hart ; No. 2 by Elisha
Payne ; No. 19 by Samuel Payne ; No. 20 by Theophilus
Pierce.

Elisha Payne made the first frame building in the town, a
barn, the timbers of which, including the braces and rafters,
were hewed. The barn is still in existence, owned by Mr.
Patrick. Squire Payne (as Elisha Payne was better known,)
kept tavern in his first dwelling immediately after his ar-
rival and settlement here. In 1802, he built his new tav-
ern, which stood on the corner of Broad and Lebanon
streets. This was a fine building for that day, and has re-
mained a landmark until the present year. It has, this sum-
mer, been removed to make place for the new block being
built.* It was found on moving the building that its joists
and rafters, as well as its frame were all of hewed timber,
quite strong, and in a pretty good state of preservation.

There was a small frame tavern, built before this of 1802,
which stood where the Park House now is, as early as 1800.
It was a small house with two rooms facing the south and
with a shed running back on the east.

As early as 1800, Payne's Settlement had, besides the
two taverns above mentioned, a frame school house on
Broad street, a square roofed building standing on what was
then the public green, at the head of the present Park,
which was afterwards moved near the site of the Union
School building ; a frame dwelling house on Broad street,
the residence of Dr. Greenly, and the frame house of Ben-
jamin Pierce. Joseph Colwell was keeping store on the
corner of Broad and Lebanon streets where Mr. Woodruff
now is. This was the first store of the village. Mr. Col-
well continued at the same stand until 18 16, when in com-
pany with Capt. Steere, he built the brick store, on the site
of the present store of Foote & Gaskill. The frame of Mr.
Colwell's first store is still in existence, and is the frame of

*The new block built by our enterprising townsman, Adon Smith, Esq., is of
brick, modern and complete in its fair proportions.

432 MADISON COUNTV,

Rev. Mr. Ludden's barn. There was also at that period a
saw mill belonging to Ichabod Wheeler, located on the
Chenango, not far from the present grist mill, and a small
grist mill at the same place, in which Mr. Wheeler -had an
interest. This mill was subsequently taken down to make
place for the present grist mill built by Mr. William Pierce.

The Baptist denomination organized a society as early as
1796 and held meetings in the school house.

So rapid were the improvements, in and about the settle-
ment, that by 1806 large portions of land were cleared and
most bountiful crops were growing, small orchards were set
out, and each farmer (all the inhabitants were farmers then,)
was getting into comfortable circumstances. The manufac-
ture of salts, the only money paying business of that day
was quite extensively carried on.

During 1808 and 1809, the noted French refugee, Louis
Anathe Muller, made his residence in this village. The
house he occupied is yet standing next the M. E. Church.
Muller was very quiet, reserved and non-committal in his
manner while living here, and many believed him to be
Louis Phillippe, When he had completed his Georgetown
mansion, he removed there.

In 1809, Payne's Settlement, as the village was still
called, had comparatively but few inhabitants. These men
were, however, of sufficient stamina to predict prosperity to
the growing village.

The village had so increased that they succeeded
in obtaining a charter, incorporating the village of Hamil-
ton, bearing date April 12, 18 12.

At this period, Rogers & Pierce owned the grist mill and
saw mill, situated near the place where the Utica, Clinton
and Binghamton Railroad depot has been recently located.
The Park House, which was built and kept by Artemus How-
ard for many years, had succeeded the little frame tavern.
Although it was a house of no small pretentions for that day,
and was justly famous for its excellent management, yet its

HAMILTON. 433

appearance was exceedingly modest, when compared with
its present style. Repairs, additions and modern arrange-
ments, have quite transformed the little tavern of 1812 into
the present Park House.

A store was kept by Clark & Dorrance, and had been for
some years on the location opposite Squire Payne's tavern ;
it stood nearly on the same ground where Mr. Fairchild
now lives. Charles T. Bearing, (who was Revenue Collec-
tor during the war of 1812,) afterwards succeeded to the lo-
cation of Clark & Dorrance, where he traded till 18 16,
when he and Henry M. Graves, individually, built on the
opposite side of the street, one-half of those brick buildings
which were added to by the other half after 1820, and now
form the brick block on the southwesterly side of Broad
street.

A small, red building, standing where the present book
store now is, which was built years before by Dr. Greenly,
and rented for a store to Graves & Dascom, was now (in
18 12,) kept by Graves & Fargo.

The Baptist meeting house, built in 18 10, was situated
near the center of the village, on what was then the village
green, near the north end of the Park ; its precise location
was afterwards used for Broad street.*

Therefore, as is shown above, the village, in 1812, had
two taverns, — Squire Payne's and the little tavern which
grew into the Park House ; three stores, viz : the one kept
by Graves & Fargo, in the small building above mentioned,
the Col well store on the Woodruff corner, and that of C. T.
Dearing, who had succeeded Clark & Dorrance ; the school
house, which had been moved to its location near the Union
school house, where town meetings were held ; the Baptist
meeting house, and about twenty-five dwellings.

In 18 16, a new impulse was manifest, which resulted in
the upspringing of various enterprises.

*Haight & Chappell built a distillery about iSio, and kept it for a time,
finally passed into the hands of Deacon Osgood.
B2

434 MADISON COUNTY,

As before stated, Bearing & Graves built the half of
those brick buildings on the southwesterly side of Broad
street, that year ; also Joseph Colwell and Capt. Steere built
the brick store, which was afterwards taken down and re-
built by Capt. Steere, and which is now the hardware store
of Foote & Gaskill. The old brick Academy was also built
in 1816, Between that date and 1820, the Baptist Educa-
tion Society perfected those measures which gave Hamilton
village Madison University.

Although the village was the home of some of the most
eminent lawyers and talented political men of that day, and
the rendezvous of great military companies and the ground
of their parades, also the mercantile center for a great ter-
ritory round about, yet the desire to promote the cause of
education became the paramount idea which actuated the
important movements of those days. The leading minds of
the village were deeply imbued with its sentiments, and
freely used their means in the object. As a first step, the
Academy was originated. Its first trustees, who were also
its founders, were : Elisha Payne, Thomas H. Hubbard,
Thomas Greenly, Peter B. Havens, Esek Steere, Joseph B.
Peck, John Foote, Samuel W. Osgood, William Pierce, 2d,
George Lawton, Nathaniel Stacy, Thomas Wylie and John
G. Stower.*

The Academy building, a brick structure, was erected in
1816, on the site of the present residence of D. J. Mitchell,
Esq., corner of Broad and Pleasant streets. The lower
story was used for the district school, which was in fact,
the primary department of the Academy. In the second
story the Academy was held. Its first principal was Gen,
Nathaniel King.
'/ In 1820, when the Baptist Education Society located
' their school in Hamilton, it was opened in the third story
of the Academy building, which they occupied till 1823 ;

*Of the above named trustees, John Foote is the only survivor, at the date, July,
187a.

HAMILTON.

435

then they erected their first edifice, the Stone Academy.
After the removal of the Theological School into their own
edifice, the trustees of the Brick Academy had the third
story taken off. The Hamilton Academy was incorporated
by the Regents of the University of the State of New York,
Febuary 23, 1824.

Professor Zenas Morse succeeded Gen. King as Principal.
He was assisted by lady teachers, the first of whom was
Miss Emily Hayes.

In 1827, the Theological Institution built their first
edifice on the hill, (the western,) and their stone building in
the village was rented by the trustees of the Hamilton
Academy, to be used for the male department, and the
brick building was used for the female department. This
institution, then under the supervision of Prof. Morse,
ranked second in the State, i. e., next to the Albany
Academy.

The old Academy was justly regarded by the citizens
with pride ; it is spoken of in terms of affectionate remem-
brance, and regret that it was allowed to run down. Its
decline was owing to a variety of causes ; the University
Grammar School incorporated in 1853, withdrew numbers
of young men, and the Board suffered a heavy loss in the
burning of the brick building in 1855. They were after-
wards induced to supplant the Academy by the Female
Seminary.

According to the Regent's report, Hamilton Academy had
at one time 130 students, 6^ pursuing a classical course ;
number of volumes in its Library, 831; value of Library
and apparatus, ^1,500. The Academy went down about 1857.
The Hamilton Female Seminary was first opened by
Mr. Clinton Buell, who bought the residence of Dr. Havens
on Broad street, remodeled it and commenced his school in
1856. It was incorporated by the Regents of the Univers-
ity of the State of New York, Jan. 17, 1856. Mr. Buell
conducted the school about three years, when he was sue-

436

MADISON COUNTY,

ceded by Misses Wallace and Fields. Misses Waters and
Hastings, Preceptress and Assistant, conducted it for a
time, under whose skillful and efficient management, the
Seminary was highly successful as a school, though it was
not, and had never been from the beginning, a financial
success. Subsequently, the school was discontinued for a
time, until it was revived under the charge of Rev Charles
A. Raymond, who had formerly been Principal of a Semi-
nary of like character in Virginia. This was in 1861, or
about that time. After two years labor Mr. Raymond left
the school, and it was again discontinued.

The Regents' report of 1859, gave to Hamilton Female
Seminary, the number of students, 158 ; those pursuing a
classical course, 117; value of Library and apparatus,
$778 ; number of volumes in Library, 427.

After both academy and seminary had ceased to exist,
the stone building was taken down, and its site is now oc-
cupied by a dwelling.

In 1866, the Female Seminary was resuscitated by the
present proprietor. Prof. Goodenough, who, co-operating
with the wishes of some of the citizens, and with the assist-
ance of a small subscription from some of them, purchased
the old seminary, and opened a school again in the fall of
that year. Since that time the school has been successfully
conducted, by M. M. Goodenough, A. M., Principal, Mrs.
M. M. Goodenough, Preceptress. All the facilities for a
first-class boarding school has been combined with a day
school. It has turned out several classes of graduates.

The old district schools of Hamilton have been merged
into the Union School. In 1853, School Districts No. i,
14 and 17 were consolidated. The district elects three
trustees each year for a term of three years, and the trus-
tees, when organized, form a Board of Education, and have
the charge of the school, the district being withdrawn from
the jurisdiction of the School Commissioner of the County,
or, at least, so far as the examination and licensing of teach-

HAMILTON, 437

ers is concerned, that duty being given to the Board of
Education.

The present corps of teachers (1872,) are, Mr. E. P. Sis-
son, Principal ; Miss Jennie Hemingway, first, and Miss
Lucinda Blakeman, second, Assistants ; Miss S. Leonard
and Miss Lucy Rice, Intermediate Department ; Miss
Phebe Sisson, 1 rimary Department.

This sc'iDc' \v'as formed when the Union School move-
ment was yet i-.n untried scheme in this county. Its
founders were tlie first Board, of which Charles C. Payne
was first Preside.it, \.'h. ) continued in this ofhce for nine
years, resigning \^he i it had become successfully estab-
lished. It required L^. vast deal of energy, tact and perse-
verance to overcome the prejudice against the movement.

The school, on the average, numbers from four to six
hundred pupils. It is endowed with the library and appa-
ratus of the old academy. The standard of instruction is
high, and the graduating classes show a thoroughness of
training which would do credit to any academy in the land.

Madison University, (which is sketched at length here-
after,) and the other schools of Hamilton village, have justly
been her pride from the earliest days ; and yet, while it
would seem that the energies of the people were being
wholly spent in building up those schools, there has been
quietly at work a wise regulating force, which has kept the
bone and sinew healthy, and given the village stamina. This
regulating power is found in the various industries, of which
it is well to speak further, and to which the pen returns.

From 18 1 5, onward, there was a steady increase in mer-
cantile and mechanical pursuits. Many of the old firms
were so prosperous as to continue up to a late day, some of
them being still in existence.

From 1834 to 1837, during the building of the canal,
great activity in trade prevailed. More than a score of
stores and shops suddenly found existence, which were not,
however, permanent institutions. Some of the old and per-

438 MADISON COUNTY. "

manent firms increased largely, and some very fine build-
ings were erected by them, which are still an ornament to
the village. Mr. Hiram Savage, in company with Mr.
Manning, Mr. Boone and Mr. Wheeler, commenced the Ex-
change buildings. Mr. Savage had been one of the old
firms of the village, having opened the tin and hardware
business at an early day, in a shanty on the location of the
present drug store of Bonney & Welton. He subsequently
bought out and repaired the premises on Lebanon street,
which he occupied so long as he remained in business here.

The Exchange, of which Mr. Savage was one of the build-
ers, was put up in sections of brick, Mr. Manning building
that section next the canal, Mr. Savage the one now occu-
pied by the marble shop, Mr. Boone the one now occupied
by the harness shop of Mr. Buell, and all of them, together
with Mr. Wheeler, the section on the west end.

The Commercial Block was built during that period,
which was also the enterprise of different individuals. The
Eagle Hotel, so conspicuous from the country side of Ea-
ton street, was erected as one of the needs of the times.*
A third tavern was built by Mr. Wadsworth on Lebanon
street near the canal, which Rufus Bacon, afterwards, for
rnany years owned. This building, no longer needed as a
hotel, has been converted into a tenant house and is now oc-
cupied by five families. Mr. C. C. Payne opened a brick
yard, and from the brick made there he built his own house,
on Payne street. All those fine brick dwellings to be seen
on that street, besides many others in the village, were
erected about this period.

Mr. Mott first established the mercantile business

on a substantial basis. His sons, Smith and Addison Mott,
succeeded him ; and on their retiring from business, it
passed into the hands of a son of Smith, Mr. C. M. Mott,
who perpetuates the good reputation of their house.

The oldest house in the cabinet ware trade is that now

'^We have not the names 01 thebuilders of other blocks.

HAMILTON. 439

belonging to Hall & Leach on Lebanon street. It was
formerly the property of Erastus Wheeler who purchased it
of the original proprietor, Mr. James Higgins, who came in
i8 10, and opened the first cabinet shop of the village on
Madison street. He continued here in business until about
1825, when he sold to Erastus Wheeler, who had previously
learned his trade in this shop. About 1834, Mr. Wheeler
removed the shop to Lebanon street, where it is yet staad-
ing, being added to by newer buildings. It is one of the
old landmarks. The works increased rapidly and during
the term when Wheeler & Parker constituted the firm, an
engine was put in. C. B. Gardiner purchased Mr.
Wheeler's interest in 1850, and it continued in the firm
name of Parker & Gardiner until 1 866, when Gardiner &
Hall owned the property. The firm name is now Hall &
Leach. No trade in town has been more successful, for so
many years, than this. Generally some dozen workmen are
employed.

Mr. E. Stillman had also one of the early cabinet shops
of this village. He worked for Erastus Wheeler in his shop
on Madison street in 1828, and first went into business in
1833, in a shop which stood where, in 1840, he built his cab-
inet warehouse on Lebanon street. His steady prosperity
tells us of the soundness of the tradesmen of the past. Mr.
Stillman continued in his trade till the time of his death,
which is of recent occurrence.

As early as 1831, Warren M. Rice came to this place,
and in company with a Mr. Stoddard opened a shop and
commenced boot making. They soon extended their busi-
ness, keeping as many as fifteen workmen. Mr. Rice is still
in the business, and since the war does not employ work-
men.

Mr. Thaxter Poole and Mr. Tucker have a shoe store, the
former commencing in 1844, the latter joining him in 1846,
They are one of the old firms of the village and have a
good reputation. The harness making shop of Eli Buell

440 MADISON COUNTY.

was opened by him in 1842, when he commenced on a cap-
ital of ^15. He prospered remarkably. Since 1844 he has
been in the Exchange buildings. Foote & Gaskell, in the
hardware business are an old firm. E. W. Foote com-
menced in company with John Foote, Esq., and Capt.
Steere, as early as 1840. After three years the firm con-
sisted of only the Footes, and in three years more E. W.
Foote became sole proprietor, and then established the first
store, entirely devoted to the hardware trade, in the Chenan-
go Valley. Gaskill became one of the firm at a late date.

In addition to the above named mercantile concerns,
Hamilton village has at the present day four dry goods
stores besides that of C. M. Mott, viz : Stiles, Wedge &
Co., W. A. Boyd, A. G. Slocum and O. L. Woodruff & Co.

The drug store of J. Foote, now belonging to Bonney &
Welton, is one of the long known stores of the village.
Two other drug stores have been added to the trade, viz :
H. P. Hartshorn, established in 1845 J ^^id Benedict &
Banning, commenced in 1866.*

The village has also at the present date, the Paterson's
boot and shoe store ; Foster & Benedict, in the harness
making business, also H. H. Nash in the same department ;
the hardware store of Royce & Grosvenor ; four grocery
stores ; two book stores ; two jewelers ; a good bakery ;
the marble shop of H. P. Case & Co. ; Johnson's foundry,
where castings and hop stoves are made ; three meat mar-
kets ; one saloon ; three artists ; two milliners, viz : Mrs.
Swift, and that of F. G. Rice, both on Eaton street ; two
clothing stores, viz : Piotrow & Lewis, and I. M. Burnap.

The great business of the canal is waning, robbed of its
traffic by the railroad. Of the three large storehouses
which were once a source of great revenue, but one is in
operation, and this doing but little business. Mr. A. Peck
attends to the forwarding, at the large storehouse on
Eaton street, which formerly had so large a traffic as to re-

* Now Palmiter & Simmons.

HAMILTON. 441

quire the enterprise of a large firm, of which Mr. Peck was
the senior member.

The Hamilton flouring mill long ago established, as the
early history of this town tells us, is owned by Mr. James
Furman, who purchased the property of Messrs. Oswood &
Rogers, about 1849. This mill is a prosperous concern, and
a useful institution to community.

The tannery, also an old established concern built by a
Mr. Orton, when the country was new, is yet largely useful
under the care of the present proprietor, C. J. Johnson.
The lumber yard of Mr. A. Z. Kingsley & Co., is another
large business concern, in the vicinity of the mill and
tannery ; and the Utica, Clinton and Binghamton Rail-
road depot, located in this, the southwest part of the corpo-
ration, make this part of the village a point of unusual ac-
tivity.

The old Town Hall, on Madison street, was originally
built for the Free Church, when that body went out from
the Congregationalists on account of the slavery agitation.
They used this building so long as they remained a sepa-
rate organization. Subsequently, the corporation obtained
it for a Town Hall. Tripp's Hall, built by Melvin Tripp
about 1870, is an elegant structure, suitable for all public
meetings. It has recently been enlarged and refitted for
use. It is on Lebanon street.

Hamilton Bank was organized Feb. 19, 1853, and was in-
corporated under the State laws, March i, 1853. Its capi-
tal stock was $110,000, a majority of which was owned by
people residing in this immediate vicinity, or had resided
here.

The first Board of Directors was composed of Adon
Smith, Alvah Pierce, D. B. West, Lewis Wickwire, John J.
Foote, Smith Mott, Wm. Felt, Alonzo Peek, William Cobb,
Artemus Osgood, Henry Tower, Delos DeWolf Adon
Smith was first President, and D. B. West, Cashier, who

442 MADISON COUNTY.

have continued in this office to the present day. The du-
ties of the Board of Directors, were for a few years, very ar-
duous, as several banking experiments had been unsuccess-
ful here, and they determined to make this experiment sure.
Their plan was fully carried out by the officers, and Hamil-
ton Bank became one of the soundest and most prosperous
institutions of the State. In 1865, this, in common with.^.
other banks of the State, received a change in name, and
thereafter became

The National Bank of Hamilton, with the same capital
as above. At the election of January, 1872, the same offi-
cers were continued, and the Board of Directors the same,
with the exception of Wm. Fairchild in place of Lewis
Wickwire, deceased ; Linus H. Miller in place of Wm. Felt,
deceased ; Wells C. Russell in place of William Cobb, de-
ceased ; Sanford Gardner in place of Artemus Osgood, re-
moved ; David W. Ingalls in place of Harry Tower, de-
ceased ; Heman Howes in place of Delos DeWoIf, removed.
The place of Heman Howes is made vacant by his recent
death.

Hamilton Lodge, No. 120, formerly No. 121, F. & A. M.
This Lodge was installed on the 28th day of May, 1805, by
Hon. and P. W. Jedediah Sanger of New Hartford, Oneida
County, N. Y. First officers installed were Seeley Neal,
W. M. ; Asa B. Sizer, S. W., and Rufus Eldred, J. W.

There were twenty-seven members present, including the
subordinate officers. On the same day the Lodge was duly
organized. Thomas Hubbard, Dr. Thomas Greenly and
John Shapley, were the first that were made Masons in
Hamilton Lodge.

At that day, Hamilton included Madison, and at the or-
ganization of the Lodge, it was located in that part of the
town now Madison. During the first year there were thir-
ty-seven members made. In 1806, the " Sherburne Lodge"
was formed from this. In the same year the Lodge was

HAMILTON, 443

removed to Hamilton village. In April, 1807, Alpheus
Hitchcock was expelled on the charge of poisoning his wife.
In December, 18 17, the Lodge was, by a vote, removed to
Eaton, where it remained as long as the Lodge continued
to work.

Up to this period, 1827, this was a large and flourishing
Lodge, and among its early and prominent members, we
recognize the familiar and honorable names of Asa B. Sizer,
Esq., Levi Love, Hon. Thomas H. Hubbard, William Cur-
tis, Samuel Sinclair, Dr. Thomas Greenly,- Joseph Enos,
Rufus Eldred, Hon. Erastus Cleaveland, Dr. Daniel Barker,
Andrew P. Lord, William Berry, jr., Calvin Morse, Curtis
Porter, Thos. Wylie, Ellis Morse, Ephraim Gray, Windsor
Coman, Joseph Morse, Andrew C. Hull, David Darrow,
Hon. Bennett Bicknell, Lyman G. Hatch, and Rev. Nathan-
iel Stacy. Of the 123 members of the old Lodge, but twelve
are now (May, 1872,) living, viz : Lyman G. Hatch, Wis-
consin ; Andrew C. Hull, Angelica, N. Y. ; Orville Eldred,
Wisconsin ; Heber Temple, Pratt's Hollow, N. Y. ; Benja-
mm Choate, Eaton, N, Y. ; Alpha Morse, Angelica, N. Y. >
Calvin Morse, Eaton, N. Y. ; James and Henry Cooledge,
Madison, N. Y. ; Isaac and Ambrose Phelps, Solsville, N.
Y., and Thomas H. Greenly, jr., Hamilton, N. Y.

In 1829, this Lodge, with others, after due deliberation,
decided, in consequence of the excitement caused by the
abduction of William Morgan, to suspend their meetings for
the present at least.

From that period to 1846, the Lodge was closed ; mean-
while, the charter was surrendered, and the hall and prop-
erty, together with valuable records, was consumed by fire.

In 1846, the Lodge was resuscitated, and commenced its
work with a dispensation from Grand Lodge, with the name
of

Hamilton Lodge, No. 120. Its first meeting was held the
1 6th day of December, 1846, at Odd Fellows' Hall. Offi-
cers named in the dispensation were Charles G. Otis, Esq.,

444 MADISON COUNTY.

W. M. ; Hon. B. F. Skinner, S. W. ; Gains Stebbins, J.
W. The following were petitioning members : Thomas H.
Greenly, Jeremiah Wilbur, Henry G. Beardsley, Thomas C.
Nye, Daniel Younglove, Perez H. Bonney, Thomas Wylie,
Curtis Porter, Daniel Barker, Isaac Phelps and Philander P.
Barker.

This Lodge has been exceedingly prosperous, and many
eminent men are numbered among its ranks.

SAMUEL PAYNE

Was b »rn in the year 1760, in Lebanon, Conn. He was a
lineal descendant from one of two brothers named Paine,
who came to America from England, and landed at
Plymouth in 162 1. One of the brothers settled in Conn.,
the other in Virginia. From these brothers all the
American citizens of that name descended.

John Paine, a brother of Samuel and Elisha Payne, con-
ceived the idea of changing the orthography of his name,
writing it Payne. Samuel and Elisha, subsequently, and
before they came to Central New York, adopted the same
form.

Samuel Payne married Miss Betsey Stower, and removed
from Lebanon, Conn., to Hamilton, Madison County, (then
Paris, Herkimer County,) in the year 1794. Mr. Payne
took up the farm which is now University Hill. Both Mr.
and Mrs. Payne possessed that energy and perseverance
which well adapted them to the life of the pioneer. They
encountered many novel, and often unpleasant experiences
in their life in the woods, which were inhabited with deer,
bears and Indians. It was no unusual thing to capture a
bear, or shoot a dear upon their own farm, or near their
dwelling.

They were devoted christians, and hence it is recorded
of Mr. Payne, that in the beginning when he had felled a
large tree on his farm near where the University building
now stands, he bowed his knee in the solitude of the wil-
derness and prayed for food and raiment, and a people where-

HAMILTON.

445

with to serve God, and consecrated himself and all he had
to God's service. In 1796, two years after, was organized
in the settlement a Baptist Church, which has existed to
this day.

Because of their prosperity, which they regarded as from
the bounteous hand of Providence, they deemed it incum-
bent upon them to return to God of the fruit of their
increase. Consequently, in 1827, they gave their farm of
123 acres, then valued at $4,000, — a small sum compared to
the present value of such a larm — to the Baptist Education
Society to locate thereon their Theological Institution.
The whole was made over to the society by a warrantee
deed, reserving to themselves the use of nearly one-half of
the farm during their lives. They had no children, and
therefore placed their affection on this Institution of learn-
ing, which they made their pet, — their protege.

Samuel Payne, in the early days of the settlement, was
quite prominent in public matters, and was appointed one
of the Judges of the County Court, by which title he was
designated all his after life. But he had no ambition for
the political arena, his tastes being of a religious character.
He delighted in doing good and in spending his means for
the advancement of the right. He was beloved by every-
body, for his social, genial disposition. His cheerfulness
was contagious. He loved children, and a group of half a
dozen boys, (he used to hire boys for the sake of having
them with him,) engaged in labor with him, grew so merry
as to forget that labor was anything but a pastime. His
companion shared the same cheerful and devoted spirit.
Never was a couple more happily united than they in all
good works. In a literary direction Mrs. Payne's mind was
marked. Her proverbial kindness to the students in sick-
ness, or in heed, gave her the title of "The Students'
Mother."

Judge Samuel Payne died in Hamilton, Aug. tq. 184^,
aged 83 years.

446 MADISON COUNTY.

Mrs. Betsey Payne, died in Hamilton, January i, 1850,
aged 86 years.

ELISHA PAYNE

Was born in Lebanon, Conn., in the year 1762. He mar-
ried Miss Polly Brooks, Jan. 12, 1787, and in 1795, with his
wife and four children, removed to Hamilton. His wife died
in 1796. He afterwards married (Aug. 17, 1797,) Miss
Esther Douglass, of Whicestown, N. Y.

Elisha Payne was one of the few prominent men in the
early history of this country, h's name appearing in the
first courts, when this was a part of Chenango County. He
was elected one of the Associate Judges in the first courts
of Madison County in 1806, serving in this capacity with
ability. He held the office of Justice of the Peace for many
vears, and was chosen to other municipal offices. He en-
gaged his physical energies in clearing up the wilderness
on the village plot, and, consequently, served his terms on
the bench, and returned to the clearing of his fields. There
is an anecdote related which is characteristic. Judge Piatt
came to Payne's settlement to" consult with Judge Payne on
some official matters, and seeing several men at work, some
of them barefooted, clearing up logs after a " burning," their
clothes sooty, and their countenances begrimmed beyond
recognition, he thus addressed the eldest man of the party :
" Can you tell me where I can find Judge Payne.''" He
was answered modestly, " I am called by that name, Sir ;"
for it was no other than Judge Payne and his sons clearing
land. " Is it possible !" said Judge Piatt in amazement, and
yet with great courtesy, for the Judge was a true gentle-
man. Mr. Payne led the way to his house, and after bath-
ing and change of apparel, the two sat down to official
business, when Judge Piatt expressed himself as delighted
with the transformation wrought by so easy a process.

With the same ease and ingenuity, Elisha Payne operated
all his concerns, from the clearing up of his large farm, and
attending to official matters, to the engineering of his plans

HAMILTON. 447

in making a village in this pretty valley. He came to the
wilderness to found a village, and succeeded in bringing to-
gether the elements which were to accomplish this result.
He was not alone, however, in th's laudable work, as the
history of the village will show ; but it was mostly from his
farm, and by his efforts, that village lots were first laid out.
He gave the land for the park, for the cemetery in the vil-
lage, and from time to time gave other portions from his
farm to encourage mechanics to settle here and build.

There was, from a very early period, a strong competition
between this village and central and east Hamilton, con-
cerning the location of tJie village of the town. For a time,
town meetings were held at the Center, so great was the
strength there. But Hamilton village, enjoying better nat-
ural advantages, aided by her strong men, so increased, as
to bring the balance of power to her side ; and at length
the central and east part developed into a farming country
unsurpassed for its richness, and the village of Hamilton
made marked progress.

Judge Elisha Payne, being a man of great public spirit,
enlisted heartily in this competition ; and in every enter-
prise, from the beginning of the settlement to his death, his
name is prominent. He died full of honors, at the ripe age^
of eighty years, in 1843. The Payne monument, bearing
underneath his name, this inscription, " The Founder of
Hamilton Village," stands conspicuous in the village ceme-
tery.

GEN. KING.

" Nathaniel King was born at Amenia, Dutchess County, N.
Y., Dec. 26th, 1767. His father, Samuel King, was a plain,
well-to-do farmer, an ardent, christian patriot of the revolution,
who sent an older son into the military service. But by the de-
preciation in value of the old continental money, and especially in
consequence of becoming surety for some friends, he lost most
of his estate, and dying, left to his widow and youngest son only
a small portion. The mother was a woman of intelligence, ar-
dently pious, and possessed of much literary taste and laudable
ambition. This mother lived to see her son well educated, and

448 MADISON COUNTY.

admitted to the practice of the law. He graduated at Yale Col-
lege in 1792.

We have here passed over a long interval, because we are
not writing .Mr. King's life, but merely presenting him in his
connection with the history of Hamilton. He came to that
hamlet, then called ' Payne's Settlement,' in February, 1797.
He found many friends, indeed, many with whom he had been
acquainted in the eastern part of the State, such as Samuel and
Ehsha Payne and their venerable parents, Dr. Luther Water-
man, Dr. Thomas Greenly, Benjamin, Theophilus and William
Pierce, Dr. Rogers, Jonathan Olmstead, Daniel Smith and others
in the vicinity north and west of the village. His manners were
pleasing, and he readily made acquaintances among the people.
He attended to what law business the place afforded, but was
emphatically a peace-maker, never fomenting quarrels between
neighbors, but advising the arbitration of difficulties rather than
'going to law.' He was soon made an Assistant Assessor, and
also was appointed Justice of the Peace, (then an important of-
fice,) by the council at Albany. Mr. King had previously made
the acquaintance of some of the leading men at Albany, while
finishing his law-clerkship there.

Early in the winter of 1798, the people of Hamilton and
other towns, became very desirous of a new county. They were
then in the large county of Herkimer. So, on the assembling
of the Legislature, they sent Mr. King to Albany to negotiate
the erection of a new county. It was done, and the county
named Chenango. The people of the new county held their
election in April, and made Mr. King their first member of As-
sembly. The voters were nearly all Federalists, of the good old
stamp, — they loved the new United States Constitution and the
Union. Governor John Jay called a special session of the Leg-
islature to meet August i, 1798. The belligerents, England and
France, had so disturbed our commerce, that he thought it nec-
essary to take measures for its protection. In the spring of
1799, Mr. King was re-elected to the Assembly. The next
spring, he ran for Senator, but lost his election. There were
several candidates, and he came out next to the winner. In the
spring of 1 80 1, he was the third time returned to the Assembly.
He declined further nomination, for he felt the necessity of at-
tending more closely to business at home.

Possessing much military taste, and having been commissioned
Colonel of Militia, he conducted his ' trainings ' with efficiency
and skill. These novel exhibitions of pleasing military evolu-
tions served to enliven the stillness of this wild settlement. Just
at the end of 1803, he married Miss Ottillia Mayer, the young
step-daughter of Deacon Olmstead. He had previously purchas-
ed of Elisha Payne about five acres of land fronting on Lebanon

HAMILTON.

449

Street, from the Pa3aie corner westward, and erected there a
Jarge and commodious office, in which he first kept house. This
building is still standing on Mill orMillvvard street, having been
removed from its original location on Lebanon street and some-
what enlarged and improved. In his early practice, Mr. King
was favored with some talented law students, such as Moses
Sawyer, Abram Payne, Jonathan Pettit and John G. Stower.

About this time, Thomas H. Hubbard came to Hamilton
from Connecticut, a young lawyer and college graduate. His
fine residence on the east side of Broad street was afterwards
owned by John G. Stower, and later by James B. Eldredge.
The intimate association with this family of refined and elegant
manners will long be remembered by the children of Mr. King.
The village was growing rapidly, for these times ; frame build-
ings and some brick ones were everywhere replacing the early
log houses. A large school house was the place of public wor-
ship. It was also used for Courts and other assemblings. Mr.
King applied himself to law business, and was appointed a
Master in Chancery. In the meantime he was also attentive to
his military duties, and at length was promoted to the rank of
Major General. In 1807, he received an important office — he
was made a District Attorney. His District embraced five
counties, Herkimer, Onondaga, Cayuga, Cortland and Madison.
He was obliged to be much from home attending Courts through-
out this extensive Circuit ; this office was quite lucrative.
Hostsof counterfeit and other felons were efficieritly brought to
justice. He bought at this time a fine tract of woodland in
Lebanon, afterwards sold to the late Curtis Hoppin, Esq. De-
signing to build a dwelling, he purchased of Dr. Greenly and
Mr. Joseph Colwell about two acres of land on the west side of
Broad street, south of the Payne corner. Here he built a com-
modious dwelling after his own taste. He was able to com-
mand for this purpose the best pine lumber from his own timber
lot in North Norwich, Chenango County. The house was fin-
ished in 18 1 2. Benjamin F. Bonney now owns this house re-
paired and remodeled. In 1812, Gen. King resigned the office
of District Attorney, also he joined the Republican party.

In 1814, incensed at the meanness of the British in burning
a part of Washington City, Gen. King asked his personal and
political friend, Gov. Daniel D. Tompkins, to send him into the
service. Of course, the frontier of New York was much men-
aced on the north, and Gov. Tompkins had been on the alert,
first sending a large body of men drafted irom. the militia of this
State ; then, as matters grew more threatening, ordering the
militia, en masse, to Sackett's Harbor. By the Governor's or-
der, Gen. King repaired to that place early in October, 18 14,

C2

450 MADISON COUNTY.

and organized into a Division, and took command of all the
militia at that post and in the neighborhood. A little incident
here illustrates his humane disposition. At a place a few miles
this side of Sackett's Harbor, he met a young officer, who con-
fessed he was dcsert'mg. Gen. King persuaded him to go back
and do his duty. He went, and was pardoned. The officer
whom Gen. King superseded was Brigadier General Collins, who
had been in command for some time. He sent a sergeant and
file of men to arrest this deserter^ while at a hotel. Gen. King
being present, pleasantly dismissed the men, saying that he was
now commander. The young officer did not abuse this lenity,
but performed his duty with fidelity. A great rain set in, and
the post was a low, unhealthy marsh. Much sickness prevailed
among the troops, and Gen King readily discharged all the sick
who could be removed by their friends. For this merciful con-
duct he afterwards received most grateful, acknowledgmenis
Gen. Jacob Brown, of the regular army, arrived with a body of
United States troops, and took the supreme command. Gen.
King under him, retaining his command of all the militia. The
place was now so strong that the expected attack of the British
was not made. They would have met a repulse like that of
New Orleans, had they made the attempt. Peace dawned upon
us early in 1815, and Gen. King came home, but remained
in the service some months, superintending courts martial,
which he ordered in three places to try the militia delinquents
and deserters ; these courts, however, were very lenient, and
the General approved their course.

In April, 18 16, Gen. King was sui'ldenly bereaved of his be-
loved wife. She left five children. He afterwards married Miss
Mary Bates, of Paris, Oneida County, who died at the end of
thirteen months, leaving an infant son. Mr. King resigned the
office of Major-General, and was for some years a County Judge
In the winter of 1818, he was much engaged in helping Revolu-
tionary soldiers to get pensions under the recent laws. He was
also much occupied in mathematical disquisitions and studies,
corresponding with Prof. Strong, of Hamilton College, Clinton,
Oneida County, and other eminent scholars. The lamented
Prof. A. M. Fisher, of Yale College, was one of them. Mr.
King's solutions of difficult problems were published in several
magazines —also neat and ingenious questions. He also exer-
cised his mechanical ingenuity, and among other inventions may
be named his Tellurian, for illustrating all the motions of the
earth, and es^ecmWy ihc precession of the equinoxes. In Novem-
ber, 18 18, he married his third wife, Mrs. Elizabeth Tefft, of
Hamilton, who lived with him thirty years, and ably and ten-
derly assisted him to bring up his and her children, and survived
him only a few months.

HAMILTON.

451

In the winter of 18 19, the first preachers of the Methodist
Episcopal Church came to Hamilton village. Some will recol-
lect the honored names of Abner Chase, Dan. Barnes and
George Gary. S. Wesley Higgins was an interesting young
novitiate, who preached some in the village, but more on Bonnev
Hill. There was a powerful revival of religion amongst the
Baptists, Methodists and others, extending through many towns.
This w'.nter the first Methodist Society was collected in Hamil-
ton. James Higgins was the first class leader, the next was
Stephen Stocking. These had been Methodists previously,
as also were Jonathan Greig and his wife and daughter Susan,
the parents and sister of Mrs. King. Of new members in the
village, there were Mr. King, Mrs. Eunice M. Weaver, Reuben
Ransom and others. Mr. King was a zealous member, and lent
pecuniary aid according to his ability, and labored in the good
cause of religion, especially in his own fiimily, — giving his child-
ren much instruction in the Holy Scripture. His tender
exhortations and prayers in the family and elsewhere are not
forgotten.

In 18 1 8, Mr. King was one of the Board of twenty-four
Trustees to found the Hamilton Academy. He helped buy the
land, a lot next south of his own homestead, and afterwards
contributed lumber and money. The brick building was rapidlv
put up, and the two large lower rooms finished, so that district
school was held there in the winter of 1819, taught by Reuben
Ransom. The Baptist Educational Society had put on a third
storv for their school. Early in the spring of 1820, the second
story was mostly finished, and Mr. King commenced teaching
the Academy on the first of May. He took delight in teaching,
having been successful in it before and after he went to college.
His learning was extensive and varied, and he had a rare facility
of communicating knowledge. He excelled in teaching the
Latin and Greek languages, all branches of Mathematics,
Rhetoric, English Grammar, Composition and Elocution.
Having no assistant, the scholars were few and mostly young
men, but these found the cultivation of their taste and the
improvement gained, invaluable to them in after life. He
relinquished this business toward the end of the year 182 t, and
Zenas Morse began in the spring of 1822. He long and ably
taught the Hamilton Academy. For years after, Mr. King was
frequently resorted to by scholars, (and sometimes by teachers,)
with hard fUits for him to crack, in the Classics or Mathematics,
or in English Grammar. He took up the hammer with alacrity
and was soon able to liberate from their obstinate envelopes the
precious imprisoned kernels. Mr. King was an amateur farmer,
but paid most attention to the cultivation of fruit trees,
as the apple, cherry, plum at>d pear. Jle had grafted

452 MADISON COUNTY.

with his own hand his fine young apple orchard of 165
trees, procuring scions from Long Island and New Jersey.
He was fond of raising winter wheat. His last crop of
this was in 1825, on the acre on Broad street, which he after-
wards divided and sold one-half to Amos Crocker in 1826, and
the other to the Trustees of the Congregational Church in 1828.

In his later years, Mr. King retired in a considerable degree
from the practice of his profession, only engaging in it occa-
sionally, and then upon what he thought to be the equitable side.
His knowledge of law was profound, and he never engaged in
the prosecution of a case without the most thorough preparation.
In this particular he was remarkable through his life, and law-
yers now speak of his elegant pleas as recorded on the books.
In some of these cases his efforts were crowned with complete
success. He was strict in his adherence to temperance and en-
tered with considerable spirit into the other reforms of the day.

Aside from his superior education, Mr. King possessed a
mind of the highest order, and a singular versatility of talent.
From boyhood he was passionately devoted to literature, and
read all the best authors. And in his advanced years he was
emphatically a student, keeping bright the studies pursued in
his youth, reading with tearful enthusiasm, Homer, Virgil and
Milton, as his pastime. He was in the habit of frequently com-
posing, especially in poetry, and some choice poems, not yet
made public, have been preserved. At times, he was called
upon to write poems or addresses for public gatherings, as for
the Fourth of July; and on the occasion of the death of Adorns
and Jefferson, in 1826, he prepared and delivered an eloquent
oration in the Baptist meeting house. A passage in it repre-
sented these patriots as arranging the time of their departure : —
' I will set out from Quincy, you from Monticello ; we will meet
in the regions ot the air.'

But in his domestic relations, and in the sublime truths and
substantial comforts of the christian religion, Mr. King foimd
his richest enjoyment, and used to say, with the utmost sinceri-
ty, using the language of Holy Writ : ' I have no greater joy
than to see my children walking in the trufh.' The final scene
of his existence' was peaceful, in view of the future. He ex-
pressed an unfaltering trust in the Redeemer. His illness was
o'' short duration, and his death occurred at Hamilton, July 25,
1848."*

JOHN FOOTE, ESQ.,

Was born April 30, I/86, in Colchester, Conn. He came to

* Contributed bv a friend.

HAMILTON. 453

Sherburne in 1795, with his father, Hon, Isaac Foote,*
widely known as the first Judge of Chenango County Courts,
when Madison County was included in its territory.

When Mr. Foote first came to Chenango County, all about
him was an unbroken forest. The nearest grist mill was
eighteen or twenty miles distant, and it was as far to a saw
mill. The floor of his log house was made of split basswood
timber, the roof covered with bark, in which was an open-
ing for the escape of smoke ; oiled paper, instead of glass,
served for windows for a year or more. A yoke of oxen
and two cows subsisted on browse, mostly, the first winter,
when the snow was from three to tour feet deep, with a
crust of sufficient strength for the cattle and deer to walk
upon, so that snow shoes were dispensed with during the
months of January and February. This primitive dwelling,
and these unusual circumstances, became firmly fixed as the
earliest recollections of the subject of this sketch.

About 1796, the inhabitants had increased to such ex-
tent, that, though a yet comparatively wilderness country, a
physician located himself there, and, on one occasion, hav-
ing need of medicines, dispatched the boy " Johnny " Foote
to Utica to procure drugs. This was a considerable jour-
ney for a boy nine or ten years of age to perform, marked
trees and an Indian path being the chief indication of the
course to pursue, and only six houses on the whole route of
forty miles. Utica, as it was then, formed a picture in the
lad's memory, to remain there forever after. He went to
the drug store, kept by Wolcote & Guiteau, in a small build-
ing set on posts driven in the quagmire, similar to posts on
which corn houses are placed. There was a house where
Bagg's tavern afterwards stood, and there was a small house
one-half a mile easterly from this, occupied by Col. Walker,
a land agent. This comprised the village of Utica, (or
rather old Fort Schuyler,) in 1796. The road, if road it

* Judge Foote died in Smyrna, Feb. 27, 1826, in the 97th year of his age.

454 MADISON COUNTY.

might be called, between Utica and New Hartford, was
nothing better than a quagmire, most of the way.

Amid such unpropitious surroundmgs, the boyhood of
John Foote was spent, but they served to develop sterling
qualities which characterized his after life. He entered the
law office of Hon. Thos. H. Hubbard, as a student, and
about 1813 commenced the practice of law in Hamilton.
In 18 1 2, he married Miss Mary Johnson. He is now the
oldest lawyer of Hamilton vilbige. He has held the office
of Justice of the Peace, and Master in Chancery.*

John Foote, Esq., is characterized for his upright princi-
ples, his integrity, and a scrupulous regard for justice. He
made himself conspicuous in his early efforts in behalf of
temperance, in which cause he first took a decided stand in
1824, and was identified with the first temperance society of
Hamilton. He was subsequently identified with several of
the organized bodies to suppress the traffic in liquors.

During the anti-slavery agitation, the Female Anti-
Slavery Association of Hamilton was organized at his
house, he giving the unpopular cause his aid and encourage-
ment. (Note /.)

John Foote has always distinguished himself by his strict
adherence to his principles of right, and for his practical
living up to the theories he so earnestly advocated. He
still lives in Hamilton village, enjoying remarkable health,
at the ripe age of eighty-six.

EARLY PRORJINENT MEN OF HAMILTON.

Dr. Thomas Greenly,, the pioneer physician of Hamilton,
came from Connecticut in 1796, then twenty-five years of
age. In the wilderness, he made a home, to which he
brought his wife and child in January, 1797. Among the
pioneers he established an honorable reputation as a man,
and in his practice gained a wide influence, and secured en-

* Hon. John J Foote, son of John F. ote, was elected State Senator from this
District for 1858-9. When Abraham Lincoln was elected President in i860,
[ ohn J Foote was one of the Presidential Electors.

HAMILTON. 455

viable success. It has been said of him : " He was a man
of marked character, honest, plain and outspoken, free from
hypocrisy or deceit, of strong mind and eminent in his pro-
fession."

He was elected to the Legislature twice, the years 1818
and 1819, and was four years in the Senate of this State,
being elected from the Fifth Senatorial District in 1822.
When in the Senate, he was one of the " immortal seven-
teen " who abstained from voting, that a certain measure in
reference to a change in the Constitution, concerning Presi-
dential Electors, might not be passed at that critical period,
pending the election in which Andrew Jackson and John
Q. Adams were running for the Presidency.

During the Doctor's term in the Senate, his large medi-
cal practice ih Hamilton slipped away into other hands, and
it is said, that on his return, he declared he would get it
back if he worked for nothing. He had no serious difficul-
ty in winning it back, when once his indomitable will and
genius were employed in that direction.

Dr. Greenly was for some years Brigade Inspector of the
Thirty-Fifth Brigade of New York Militia. In all positions
he was characterized by integrity, and honored every sta-
tion he was called to fill. He is remembered by Hamilto-
nians for his characteristic independence, and his original
" speeches," the coin of wit,

Hon. Thomas H. Hubbard came to Hamilton from Al-
bany, where he finished his law education, in 1804 or 1805,
and commenced the practice of law.

His superior talents, cultivated by a fine scholastic edu-
cation, and his thorough training as a lawyer, soon won him
an extensive practice in this and Chenango County. On
the organization of Madison County, in 1806, he was ap-
pointed its first Surrogate, which office he held, and dis-
charged its duties with ability, about ten years. He was
appointed District Attorney in 18 17, but was elected to
represent the then Congressional District of Madison and

456 MADISON COUNTY.

Herkimer in tlie U. S. Senate, for the term of 1817
-19. He was also elected to serve a second time for
1821-23. After the formation of the second Constitution,
he was appointed Clerk of the Supreme Court, (when he re-
moved to Utica,) the duties of which office he discharged
with great ability for many years, and fixually retired from
public life, having, by his prudence and industry, accumu-
lated ample means to live, and spend his declining years in
affluence and ease. He was a man greatly beloved for his
many virtues and the purity of his life, and Hamilton is
justly proud to claim him as one of its early law-givers. He
died in Utica, the city and home of his adoption, in 1853,
with the bright hope of the christian, so well exemplified in
his life.

Hon. John G. Stower studied law with Judge Hubbard,
and after having completed his studies, was, by Mr. Hub-
bard, received in co-partnership, with whom he continued
until the removal of the latter to Utica. John G. Stower
was appointed Judge of the Court of Common Pleas in 1821,
serving till 1827. In 1827, he was elected to Congress
from the Twenty-Second Congressional District, serving
one term. Judge Stower was a man of great abilities,
marred by one failing, intemperance. His remarkable tal-
ents won him great influence, so that he was exceedingly
popular, and warmly beloved in a wide circle of friends.

Judge Philo Gridley, one of the Justices of the Supreme
Court, was, at one period, practicing law in Hamilton vil-
lage, in co-partnership with Judge Stower.

John Adams Smith, son of William S. Smith, was one of
the practicing lawyers of the old Courts of this county,
and was, at one period, in law partnership with Judge
H abbard.

Later Lawyers of Hamilton. — Hon. Charles Mason was
born in Plattsburgh in this State. He is a man of strong
mind and industrious habits, also a self made man, of
common academical education. He commenced reading

HAMILTON. 457

law in Plattsburgh about 1828. Some two years after he
went to Watertown and entered the law office of Mr. Ruger.
He was admitted to the bar about 1832, when he formed a
co-partnership with Mr. Ruger and remained with him in
practice until the fall of 1838, About this time Judge
Gridley, residing in this place, was appointed to the bench
of the Supreme Court, when Mr. Mason came here, and in
company with Amos Crocker, took and continued Judge
Gridley's business. He continued with Mr. Crocker till
1842. In 1844 and '45. he was in company with George W.
Hungerford who came from Watertown. In 1845 he was
appointed District Attorney for Madison County, which
office he filled till June, 1847, when he was elected Justice
of the Supreme Court, and entered upon the discharge of
those duties the first of July following. He held this
office by re-election till 1768, when he resigned to accept
the appointment of Judge of the Court of Appeals. He is
now practicing in the higher courts.

Hon. Joseph Mason, commenced reading law in the
office of his brother Charles Mason, in 1845, ^"^1 was
admitted to practice in the general term held in Morrisville
in 1 849. He immediately opened a law office here ; was
elected Justice of the Peace, and in 1863 was elected
County Judge and Surrogate of Madison County.

Judge Mason's decisions while upon the bench were
seldom appealed from, for the good reason, that such cases
received a studious examination and the decisions were
rendered strictly in accordance with the law and the testi-
mony. He has a lucrative business in Hamilton.

Sherwood & Nye were lawyers in practice here for a
number of years, both from DeRuyter. Sherwood went
to Texas soon after its annexation. James W. Nye con-
tinued for a time his office, alone. He was regarded as one
of the ablest lawyers of our time for his speaking talent at
the bar. He was elected Brigadier-General, was Judge and
Surrogate of Madison County in 1844, serving to 1851,

458 MADISON COUNTY,

and was appointed Master and Examiner in Chancery. He
removed to New York and was subsequently appointed
Governor of Nevada, and ably discharged the duty of that
position through his term. His course was characterized
by his successful efforts in establishing law, order and
religion in the territory. He has since been elected to
the U. S. Senate^ where his talents have made him conspic-
uous.

H. C. Goodwin & D. J. Mitchell, constituted one of the •
most active law firms in this village. H. C. Goodwin died
while in the achievement of success. D. J. Mitchell is now
practicing law in Syracuse. He is regarded as one of the
ablest lawyers of Central New York.

A. N. Sheldon & James B. Eldredge, formed a law part-
nership in 1845. Mr. Eldredge had been Member of Legisla-
ture in 1 8 16- 1 7 from this county, and again in 1827, and was
re-elected in 1829. He was made Judge of the Court of
Common Pleas in 1840. The firm of Sheldon & Eldredge
continued together till 1848. Judge Eldredge has since
died. Mr. Sheldon is still in the business.

J. Sterling Smith, a lawyer of ability, was at one time
and for some years in practice here. He received the
appointment of Assistant U. S. District Attorney, and
went to Washington about 1866.

D. G. Wellington came in 1861, having been admitted to
the bar at the Albany General Term, in May, 185 1, and
entered the law office of J. S. Smith, and remained there
till Nov., 1862, when he enlisted in the army to help subdue
the Great Rebellion. He was promoted to first Lieut, of Co.
A., 176th Regiment, in 1863, After this he was taken
prisoner by the rebels and was held till 1864, when he was
released and mustered out of service. On his return
to Hamilton he again entered the office of J. S. Smith.
When Mr. Smith resigned his office of Justice of the
Peace to accept his promotion, Mr. Wellington was
appointed to fill his unexpired term, and served till 1868,

HAMILTON. 459

and was then elected to Legislature. He has since con-
tinued his office in Hamilton.

Some of the Physicians of Hamilton. — Dr. Peter B. Ha-
vens was one of the old physicians and surgeons of this
village. He was widely known and employed for his
great skill and success in cases requiring surgical treat-
ment. He was succeeded by his son, P. B. Plavens, who
is still practicing medicine and surgery in this village.
Dr. Henry G. Beardsley was a practicing physician and
surgeon for more than thirty years, being established
here before 1830. He was commissioned First Asst.
Surgeon in the 114th Reg. N. Y. V. and served with cred-
itable success. Dr. Sherman Kimberly commenced prac-
tice in this place in 1836 as a Botanic Physician. He
gradually changed his practice to the Eclectic Schocl. He
is now the oldest medical practitioner in this village, and
has had a most extensive practice, both in medicine and
surgery. The other present resident physicians are Dr.
Frank D. Beebe, who commenced practice here in 1864,
he having previously been First Asst. Surgeon in the 157th
Reg. N. Y. v., serving in the army of the Potomac, partici-
pating in the battles of Chancellorville, Gettysburg and
others till the war closed ; Dr. G. L. Gifford of the Homoe-
pathic School, who came in 1865. He practices surgery as
well as medicine and has good success. Also Miss Dr.
Amelia Tompkins, the first woman physician of Hamilton,
who came in 1865. She is a regular graduate from the
" Woman's Medical College of Pennsylvania." She has bad
good success in her profession and has all the practice she can
attend.

Dr. A. D. Head, physician and surgeon, has recently
commenced practice here and is making progressive steps
toward being successfully established.

MADISON UNIVERSITY AND HAMILTON LITERARY AND THIO-
LOGICAL SEMINARY.

This Institution was the offspring of the Baptist Educa-

460 MADISON COUNTY.

tion Society of New York State, which was formed in 18 17,
in behalf of ministerial education. This society was origi-
nated by five or six individuals in Hamilton, who met at the
house of Samuel Payne in the spring of that year, when
they ventured to issue a call, inviting the friends of the
cause to meet in Hamilton on the 24th day of the ensuing
September. This call was sent to the Western Baptist
Magazine and was published on the cover of that periodical.
The 24th of September arrived and but thirteen responded
to the call, who were : Rev. Daniel Hascall, Rev. Nathaniel
Kendrick, Rev. P. P. Roots, Rev. John Bostwick, Rev. Joel
W. Clark, Rev. Robert Powell, Rev. Amos Kingsley, Dea.
Jonathan Olmstead, Dea. Samuel Payne, Dea. Samuel Os-
good, Thomas Cox, Elisha Payne, Esq., and Dr. Charles W.
Hull. They were convened at the residence of Dea. Olm-
stead, located about one mile from the village of Hamilton,
directly south, a little below University Hill.

As an earnest of their faith, these thirteen commenced
by paying ^i each into the treasury. This was the seed
sown, the germ of the widely known Madison University,
which was planted in the hearts of a few noble christian
men who struggled with poverty Notwithstanding, they
immediately set about the work with unparalleled energy.
An address, which was an appeal Tor ministerial education,
was published, and 500 copies circulated. Nearly forty
agents were appointed in the central and eastern portions of
the State, who were expected to work gratuitously to ob-
tain subscriptions to the work.

The first report of the Baptist Education Society has the
list of the first seventy contributors, which is a " memorial
of good men," whose offerings were made out of principle
and pure warm hearts, toward the work. The aggregate
subscriptions of that list were ^2,118.88.

The committee appointed to locate the school were
chosen from widely-separated localities, that the pending
question might be fairly adjusted. This was at length set-

til IS

■llllfl

iiiiiiiilil iiii

HAMILTON. 461

tied at a meeting held in Peterboro, Nov. 3, 18 19. Hamil-
ton was to have the location of the proposed school, pro-
vided, " that the people in the village and vicinity pay over
to the institution the sum of six thousand dollars in the
following manner, viz : three thousand five hundred dollars
to be laid out in buildings to be completed within four
years, and two thousand five hundred dollars to be paid in
board at one dollar and fifty cents a week, in five equal an-
nual payments." A place for the school was also to be
furnished by the ist of May, 1820. These conditions were
accepted, and securities furnished for the fulfillment of the
coiitract.

The first pupil was Jonathan Wade, who was examined
en the 14th of February, 1818, and immediately placed un-
kr the charge of Rev. Daniel Hascall. During the interval
between that and the time when the school was perma-
nently opened in May, 1820, thirteen had shared the bene-
factions of the society, who had been under instruction
mostly at Whitesboro and Hamilton. May i, 1820, with
ten students, the school was formally opened in the village
of Hamilton, occupying the third story of the brick building
of the village academy. Rev. Daniel Hascall, pastor of the
Baptist Church, consented to occupy the po-t as Principal,
being the only teacher the first year, for which he received
the moderate sum of ^22.50 a month.

In 1828 the first edifice, the stone building on the plain.
(in the village,) was erected. It was 36 x 64 feet, and three
stories high, with rooms for students, and apartments for
recitation and rhetorical purposes. This cost over five
thousand dollars. The help in furnishing these apartments
came, in a great measure, from female sewing societies,
[This building, after being vacated by the institution, was
used for the male department of the Hamilton Academy,
under the principalship of Prof Zenas Morse and his suc-
cessors.]

With what absorbing interest ^0 we learn of the various

462 MADISON COUNTY.

dealings of Providence, evident in all the great movements
connected vvi'h the institution. Hascall and Kendrick.
were men who had faith in Providence. They were men,
also, who were especially endowed for the herculean work.
The heart and purse of another good man and his wife were
also in the work — Deacon Samuel Payne and Mrs. Be'sey
Payne, who made the gift of their farm of 123 acres, valued
then at $4,000, to the school, in 1826. This is Univer-
sity Hill, on which the buildings are erected. No love-
lier place, and none with so commanding a view of the
beautiful valley, could have been selected. At the same time
with the erection of the " Wes ern Edifice," a commodious
boarding hall was built in the immediate vicinity, which
has been removed, and its place is occupied with a noble
building called the " Hall of Alumni and Friends," which
now places the Western Edifice in the middle. In 1833, the
" Eastern Edifice" was built ; in 1838, the present Board-
ing Hall. Up to 1839, the expenses of students were reg-
ulated with reference to their benefit, on terms which at
the present day seem incredible. The price of board, which
had been ninety cents per week, was raised that year to
one dollar. The tuition in the academic department was
raised from four to six dollars per quarter, and in the col-
legiate, from four to eight dollars. In the Theological
department, tuition was rendered gratuitous, the salaries for
Professors in this branch being raised by subscription.

In 1846, this institution was incorporated as the " Madi-
son University," date of the charter being March 26, 1846.
From its first opening, it has borne different names, to wit :
" School," " Seminary," " Hamilton Literary and Theologi-
cal Institution," and finally " Madison University," — all of
which have been applied to it on the occasion of certaM
changes which have taken place in it- improvements.

In 1847, there commenced a series of efforts to remove
Madison University from Hamilton to Rochester, N. Y.,
which had the effect to seriously, but temporarily, depress

HAMILTON. 463

the affairs of both Society and University. The case was^
as a last resort, carried into the Courts, the counsel for the
removalists being Samuel Stevens and Hamilton Harris of
Albany, and for the Bap. Ed. Society, Timothy Jenkins,
Charles P. Kirkland and James W. Nye. The final hear-
ing" of the case was before Judge Philo Gridley, April 23,
1850, when the decree established forever Madison Univer-
sity and the Theological Seminary in the village of Hamil-
ton. When those efforts ceased, two years of recuperation
saw the same institution stand forth on a strengthened pe-
cuniary basis, its amount of property more than doubled, its
number of students more than tripled.

Rev. Daniel Hascall, A. M., was Principal and Professor
o; Sacred Rhetoric from May, 1820 to 1836. Rev. Na-
thaniel Kendrick, D. D., first President, which he continued
to be to the time of his death, in 1848. Stephen W. Tay-
lor, LL. D., was President from 185 1 to 1856. He died
January 7, 1856. Rev. George W. Eaton, D. D., LL. D.,
was elected President in 1856, and served till 1871. He
died in Hamilton, August 3, 1872, aged 68 years. Rev.
Ehenezer Dodge, D. D., LL. D., was elected President of
the University in 1868.

The Library of the University contains over 8,000 vol-
umes of choice books in all languages, and treating upon all
subjects. The chemical and philosophical apparatus are
excellent ; the cabinet of geology and mineralogy and col-
lection in ornithology and conchology, are very rare and val-
uable. There is on the premises, besides the east and
west college, — the former 100x56 feet, and four stories
hi2:h, the latter 100x60 feet, four stories, — and Alumni
Hall, 107 X 73 feet, a Gymnasium, Boarding Hall, and
President's and Professors' houses, all charmingly situated.

It seems no more than just that the friends of Madison
University, who have contributed to sustain it through all
changes, should be named in this connection. Besides
Hascall and Kendrick, many others have come forward and

464 MADISON COUNTY

noblv stood by the Institution. In Hamilton, Elisha and
Samuel Payne, Jonathan Olmstead, Seneca B. Burchard
and his father Jabez Burchard, William Cobb, Alvah Pierce,
C. C. Payne, and many others whose names we have not ;
also, those indefatigable laborers in the institution, Dr. P.
B. Spear, Dr. G. W. Eaton, Professor S. W. Taylor, &c.
Among the devoted women may be named Mrs. Betsey
Payne, wife of Samuel Payne ; Mrs. Sophia Hascall, wife of
Rev. Daniel Hascall ; Mrs. Deacon Colgate of New Yoik
and Mrs. Huldah Thompson of Troy. Other noble individ-
uals, whose munificent benefactions have lifted the Univer-
sity out of its difficulties, placed it on a safe pecuniary basis,
and amply endowed it, viz : Friend Humphrey, William Col-
gate, Garret N. Bleecker, Alexander M. Beebee, besides
many others whose lesser benefactions have rendered mate-
rial aid. From this list of heroic and self-sacrificing indi-
viduals, many have passed on to their eternal reward.

REV. DANIEL HASCALL, A. M.

Daniel Hascall was born in Bennington, Vt., Feb. 24,
1782. He was a graduate from Middlebury College, Vt., in
1806. He was subsequently a teacher, studying theology
at the same time under private tutors, in Pittsfield, Mass.
In 1808, he was ordained as pastor at Elizabethtown, Essex
County, N. Y. In 181 3, he was called to the pastorate of
the Baptist Church at Hamilton, Madison County.

Rev. Daniel Hascall was the originator of the idea of
founding an .institution for the education of the Baptist
ministry in Central New York, and to him is undoubtedly
due, more than to any other one man, the origin of the
Hamilton Literary and Theological Institute, hence, by
common consent, he is regarded as the founder. In the build-
ing up of the great work, Hascall and Kendrick were co-
workers, and were equal sharers in perfecting the grand
plan. These men were unlike, and yet always agreed.
One fitted to comprehend the requirements and needs of
the work, in which the other might be wanting. Each

HAMILTON. 465

were great in their own way, and the two made a perfect
whole, which so great an enterprise required ; yea, were nec-
essary to give body, life and soul to the Institution. Rev.
Mr. Hascall so placed his heart upon the work, that he was
ready to become a servant to all, if he could thereby push
forward an enterprise he firmly believed to be of God and
not of man. He was a man of remarkable faith. Impossi-
bilities, or such as seemed so to be, were achieved through
a perfect trust in Divine Providence. An instance in point
is related as follows: When the Western Edifice was being
erected, the funds failed and there was no known source to
draw from. The workmen, impatient for their wages, re-
fused to proceed. Professor Hascall, having the charge of
the work, was under sore trial, and as usual in difficulties,
counseled with his valued and peerless wife. They spent
most of the night in earnest supplication and prayer. The
Board also appointed a day of fasting and prayer, with the
same object in view. Mark the result. In a few days. Dr.
Stephen Gano, of Providence, R. I., was induced to visit
Hamilton under the most singular circumstances. A mem-
ber of his congregation, the late Nicholas Brown, Esq.,
came to him one day with an urgent desire that he visit
Hamilton to inquire into the affairs of the Institution,
" for," said he, " I cannot sleep ; they are in trouble there ;
I dream about them nightly." Nothing would satisfy Mr.
Brown till his pastor made the journey, he staying some ten
days in Hamilton and thoroughly acquainting himself with
the school, its plans and its needs. The result was, Mr.
Brown forwarded his pledge of ^1,000 toward the new build-
ing.

Rev. Daniel Hascall was a man of sound judgment.
Every lineament of his countenance indicated a clear prac-
tical head. His comprehensive view took in the bearings
of every minute matter at a glance. He was found to be,
instinctively, where help was needed, with an ever ready,
helping hand. In the mechanical work of the institutiorh,

D2

466 MADISON COUNTY,

his handiv/ork is particularly noticeable. Its very walls are
imbued with his spirit. The first edifice, built in 1823, and
the Western Edifice, built in 1826, were constructed under
his direct supervision. His mental capacities were such
that he could, with ease, perform various and widely differ-
ent duties at once. It is said"^f him : " Now in the recita-
tion room solving a linguistical difficulty, and now in the
quarry prying up materials for the building he was superin-
tending ; sitting on the sill of the raised window of his lec-
ture room, giving instructions to his class in one breath,
and in the next, orders to his workmen outside. He was
pre-eminently the man of action, forgetting self, and labor-
ing incessantly for the great object of his heart's desire.
For a time he resided a mile out in the country, and yet,
winter and summer, he walked in, with lantern in hand, if
too dark to see his way, at half past four o'clock in the morn-
ing, regularly, to attend chapel service at five."

Rev. Daniel Hascall was elected Principal and Professor
of Rhetoric, in Hamilton Literary and Theological Institu-
tion, in 1820. He served with great usefulness for sixteen
years, when he resigned. He resigned his pastorate with
the Baptist Church in Hamilton, in 1828. After resigning
his Professorship, he removed to Castleton, Vt., where he
resided some years. In 1847, he was invited to the pasto-
ral care of the Baptist Church in Lebanon, N. Y., and re-
turned to Hamilton. His return occurred at the opening of
the " removal controversy." It was a most providential cir-
cumstance, for he was the only person after Dr. Kendrick,
in and about Hamilton, who could properly stand forth as the
legal representative of this location. Dr. Kendrick was lan-
guishing on a bed of pain, and died before it was settled,
and Professor Hascall, " boldly and firmly, though with sin-
gular mildness and amiabiUty of spirit, took his stand in the
Courts." Through that tedious controversy, he was pliea
on all sides by those interested in the removal of the insti-
tution to Rochester, by the most pressing appeals to aban-

firic-p-AViiO nysAK/ziiL sasxa/N-^j-

R!^T[|=a^i^DElL, [}^Ef^D)[ffl[lC]^pOalD)

First Fresibent of Hamiltokt rjT..AND Tmio.lNST.

HAMILTON.

467

don his position. Every inducement was held out by those
lie personally respected and loved.

In Dr. Eaton's Historical Discourse, we have a picture of
the unassuming man, as he received the pleas and argu-
ments held forth, and his sublime resistance. " He re-
mained silent, seated at a table, with his eyes cast down,
under these appeals. It was beheved that a decided im-
pression had been made, and that he had yielded. A pause
ensued. He raised his right arm and brought down his
clenched fist with startling energy upon the table, and
slowly, with unfaltering voice and solemn emphasis, uttered
these words : ' It shall not be moved.' The utterance
was the voice of God against the removal enterprise. It
sealed its fate." Dr. Eaton further relates : " Efforts were
indeed continued. The case was carried into the Courts,
(Daniel Hascall the leading plaintiff,) and argued pro and
con by the ablest counsel in the State. The legal objec-
tions were sustained, and Madison University fixed irrevo-
cably in its present location."

After litigation had ceased, quiet restored, and the hope
of his heart, the old Institution, again rising in renewed
prosperity, his grasp on life relaxed and his freed spirit
passed to its rest.

Socially, Rev. Daniel Hascall was deeply beloved. His
heart was ever overflowing with kindness ; his mild, clear
eyes expressed it, his benign countenance told how deeply
his spirit was imbued with Christ-like love. Especially in
the home circle, where his amiable disposition was daily
seen, he was truly and warmly appreciated, and in the hearts
of his loved ones his memory remains precious. He died
June 28, 1852, aged 70 years.

REV. NATHANIEL KENDRICK, D.D.

Nathaniel Kendrick was born in Hanover, Grafton
County, N. H., April 22, 1777. His early years were spent
in learning to labor, which established habits favorable to
vigorous health of body and mind. He received such edu-

468 MADISON COUNTY.

cation as the district school afforded, and amid the scenes
of nature in his daily toil, he stored his mind with lore not
found in schools, and laid the granite foundations of a great
character in physical development, mental and moral
strength, and acquired remarkable habits of industry, per-
severance and fortitude.

After a remarkably decided conversion in his twentieth
year, he began to ponder the momentous question of his
life work, and in his twenty-fourth year resolved on enter-
ing the ministry. He commenced his ministerial education
immediately, studying with private tutors, as was the cus-
tom at that period. Under several eminent divines, he
passed from one grade of studies to another, the course be-
ing similar to that of schools. He commenced his minis-
terial labors in 1804, was ordained in 1805, and for a
number of years pursued his pastoral labors in Massachu-
setts and Vermont. In 1817, he removed to Eaton, and
from that time, for a series of years, was connected in his
pastoral labors with the Eaton and Morrisville churches.
He subsequently removed to Hamilton, where he spent the
remainder of his years.

In 1817, he became, with Rev. Daniel Hascall and other
kindred spirits, one of the founders of the Baptist Education
Society of the State of New York, which planted Madison
University in Hamilton.

Dr. Kendrick's life, from 181 7 to his death, was so closely
connected with the institution at Hamilton, that the reader
of the history of one, reads of the other. He devoted him-
self to it with all his might, mind and strength. His
eloquent tongue and pen, were, during all these years, in
constant use for the institution. " He was the living bond
between the churches and the ' School of the Prophets.' "
To Kendrick is due, (it is accorded,) more than any other,
the massive structure of the school, in its peculiar form, as
originally shaped and constructed. His mind was powerful,
kis energy mighty, but always subservient to a cool, clear

HAMILTON. 469

judgment. He stamped his personality, which was so per-
meated with the Divine personaHty, upon all individuals
with whom he associated, and it marked all enterprises in
which he engaged. He was formed, physically and morally,
on a large and generous scale. In person, he was tall — six
feet four inches — and commanding ; his face and form alike
fitted to inspire respect and veneration. His forehead was
so high as to be a deformity, had not his frame been in due
proportion. His intellectual powers were of the noblest
order. His mild, deep blue eye spoke at once of the benev-
olence of his heart, and the depth and acuteness of his in-
tellect.

Dr. Kendrick was methodically accurate and punctual in
business, attending to minute details with as much care as
if no weightier matters filled his mind. In his business
transactions, he was upright, pure-hearted, straightforward,
unselfish. It was said of him, " there was no guile on his
lips — no sort of trickery in his management." His trust in
God was wonderful. How often, answers to prayer — some
direct interposition, some aid from an unexpected quarter —
caused him to give vent to his thanksgiving in those favor-
ite-passages of Holy Writ: "Surely the Lord's arm is not
shortened that He cannot save, nor His ear heavy that it
cannot hear." He can " cause streams to break out in the
desert." " The Lord hath done great things for us, whereof
we are glad." At the approach of the great crisis, the " re-
moval question," although languishing with sickness, Dr.
Kendrick's anxiety and labors were intense. At a most
critical period in the affairs of the institution, in writing to
a friend, he expresses his fears, and thus submits it to the
care of Providence : " God will overrule and make all things
subservient to his glory."

His regard for the students in the institution was like the
affection of a father for his children. Says his biographer : —
" It often fell to his lot to give the parting address to stu-
dents that had completed their course. * * * Many of those

470 MADISON COUNTY.

were touching in the fatherly regard which they evinced
for the candidate for the sacred office, bidding adieu to the
' school of the prophets,' (as he always called the beloved
institution,) only to assume the responsibilities of teachers
in the church of Jesus. Many a reader will revive the tall
form in the chapel of the Seminary, appealing in pathetic
strains to a band of youthful servants, and saying to them,
as a father would to his children, dear as the apple of his
eye, ' go forth, with the benedictions of heaven upon you.' "

A heart of great generosity filled his breast, which exhib-
ited only kindness toward those who differed from his views.
He was eminently a peacemaker, instead of a partizan ;
hence his great calmness and power in times of agitation.
In his domestic life he was truly appreciated, for the tender-
ness of his domestic affections was in proportion to the
strength of his intellect. In his family he was free, affec-
tionate, and playful ; he loved home and was passionately
fond of children. The inmates of his home were many, but
all knew the generosity of his heart and his liberal hospi-
tality. He was blessed with three children by his
first marriage. The eldest son, Silas N. Kendrick, be-
came an eminent manufacturer, and proprietor of the " De-
troit Locomotive Iron Works." He was a wise and good
man, a true christian gentleman. He died in 1846.

By his second marriage there were three children, two
sons born in Eaton and one daughter born in tiamilton.
Dr. Kendrick's second wife died in 1824. He again mar-
ried,— Mrs. Mary Hascall of Essex County — in 1828. She
survived him some years.

Dr. Nathaniel Kendrick was lecturer on Theology in the
Hamilton Theological Institute in 1820. Was elected
Professor of Systematic and Pastoral Theology and Moral
Philosophy in 1821, In 1823, received the degree of D. D.
from Brown University. In 1836, was chosen first Presi-
dent of Hamilton Institute and continued its President un-
til his death.

HAMILTON. 471

In 1844, he was injured from a fall which resulted in a
long and painful illness, lasting until life wore out. During
this long illness, painful in the extreme, he continued to la-
bor in correspondence tor the institution, in counsels and
exhortations to the students, and in planning for the pros-
perity of the cause. His naturally powerful constitution
was long in wearing out, and his great mind continued its
native vigor and composure to the last. After all that hu-
man care and skill could devise, he passed to his rest Sep-
tember II, 1848, aged seventy-one years.

EARLVILLE.

This village is most beautifully situated in the valley of
the Che lango River, two branches of which wind on either
side of the village and form a junction a short distance to
the south. Four towns and two counties join here, Hamil-
ton, Lebanon, Sherburne and Smyrna, (the two latter of
Chenango County,) corner in Earlville ; Main street divid-
ing the two towns of each county, being the county line,
and the Chenango River dividing Lebanon from Hamilton,
and Smyrna from Sherburne. The centering point of these
four towns is the center of the highway near the grist mill,
Hamilton has in this village about thirty-five houses, one
dry goods store, one variety store, one grocery store, one
drug store, one hardware store, one millinery store, one
jeweler, one blacksmithery, one hotel, one merchant tailor's
shop, one harness shop, the M. E. Church, the Union
School with two departments, and the grist mill on the line
adjoining Lebanon. Sherburne has in this village about
thirty-three houses, the storage buildings of the Chenango
Canal, one blacksmithery, two wagon shops, and other sliops,
one hotel, one warehouse, forwarding and commission
business in connection. In 1869, the population was 405
inhabitants;* 231 in the towns of Hamilton and Lebanon,
and 174 in the towns of Sherburne and Smyrna. There is
a beautiful incorporated cemetery north of the M. E. Church.

* It has since increased to 500, «

472 MADISON COUNTY.

The Utica, Chenango & Susquehanna Valley Railroad
runs on the east, five-eighths of a mile from the center of the
village ; on the west, just by the limits of the village, runs
the Midland Railroad ; both have convenient depots, and are
accessible by hacks which run at all train hours. The Sy-
racuse & Chenango Valley Railroad has its terminus at this
point. These three important thoroughfares, converging
here, make this valley in every sense of the word a desirable
location for business men. The charming situation, the fa-
cilities for business, hold out special inducements for the
building up of a large village, and there is room upon the
spread out plain for a city.

The early settlers found this to be a desirable place to
pitch their tents and select their farms, and before 1800, log
houses were scattered all along each side of the Chenango.
On the Hamilton side a road was laid out to Hamilton vil-
lage and farms were quite speedily taken up. Major Bige-
low Waters and Charles Otis were the first settlers of the
land where the present village stands. Maj. Waters' large
farm was located south of the Corners in the town of Sher-
burne. His descendants are numerous, and are well and
honorably known in this and the town of Sherburne. The
Major was a prominent, public spirited citizen. Charles
Otis' farm comprised the central part of the village site.
His dwelling was on the northeast corner. That part of his
farm, now the central point in the village, was cleared by
Frederic Sexton, an old resident, now deceased. Mr. Otis
died here after several years' residence, and was succeeded
by his son, Charles G. Otis. The latter was for a long
time Justice of the Peace, and was chosen to various public
stations. He was a useful citizen and highly respected.
The Forks was the name given this locality, but there
was no village here for many years ; the settlements, how-
ever, on each side of the river were becoming quite numer-
ous. The first religious meetings were held in the houses
round about, by itinerant Methodist ministers. A class was

HAMILTON. 473

formed as early as 1802, which was the nucleus of the first
Methodist church in Madison County. The Felts, who had
settled on the west side of the river, were prominent in this
relicjious movement.

North of Earlville, about three-fourths of a mile, there
was some business concentration from 1808 to quite a late
date. About 181 1, Mr. Jared Pardee, from Herkimer Co.,
came in and built a small tannery. It stood on the site of
the present tannery. There was a hotel near the tannery
of which Squire James B. Eldredge was proprietor and
landlord. The old hotel is still standing converted into a
farm house, now the home of Mr. Warner Nash. Squire
Eldredge also kept the first post-office here. There was
also a large distillery here, kept by Erastus Daniels.

After the lapse of a few years, Mr. Jared Pardee enlarged
his tannery, went in partnership with Mr. Crain, and there-
after for many years, this was known as the tannery of
Pardee & Crain. At a later date the whole concern was
built over on an extensive scale. It subsequently passed
through several hands, and is now owned by Torry & Wil-
son, who transact a profitable business. They employ
several workmen and have a capacity for turning off 30,000
tanned calf-skins per annum.

Jared Pardee was one of the valued citizens of his day.
He married and brought his wife here in 18 14, and in their
household, the toiling itinerant minister found rest, and the
comforts of a home.

Mr. Joseph Crandall was one of the earliest settlers of
Earlville. He was one of the worthy men of the times.
Himself and wife were also among the company who
labored to promote religion and good morals.

Erastus Daniels came in the spring of 1808, from New
London, Conn., and settled also in the vicinity of the tannery.
He was a man of public spirit, very active and had a large
business. On his death, which occured in 18 19, at the age
of 41 years, the distillery passed into other hands ; but his

474 MADISON COUNTY.

wife left with six young children, all daughters, managed to
keep the farm her husband had purchased, and to this day
it is in possession of the family. It was somewhat encum-
oered, but with great prudence and good management, she
succeeded in liquidating all claims, reared her family and
secured a competence. Mrs. Daniels now resides in Earl-
ville. She still enjoys her usual health although she was
ninety-two years old last February.

There was nothing more than a hamlet called " The
Forks," with a post office, tavern, grist mill and saw mill,
where Earlville is, till about 1833, when the Chenango
Canal was being built. The post office was first kept by
Dr. Stacy, in a little building which stood on Hamilton
street. The Dr. was a warm friend of Jonas Earl, Canal
Commissioner, and succeeded in getting the place named
in honor of him. About that period Orange H. Wait built
the hotel, now the Felt House. In 1833, the ^/^r/ hotel on
the south-west corner, was built over by Gardner Waters.
Orange Wait engaged in the mercantile business, which he
continued successfully for ten or twelve years. He built
the dwelling next north of the " Brick Block." It was then
the finest house of the village. Other stores besides that
of Mr. Wait sprung up in the village, but none of them
continued in business long. The Brick Block was built by
William Felt, about twelve years ago (i860). The four
stores of the village are all in the this block.

CHURCHES.

The First Baptist Chiuxh of Hamilton, was organized
Nov. 17, 1796, with seven members. The church was sup-
plied by Elder Root, Elder Joel Butler and Elder Salmon
Moreton, for the first few years. The meeting house was
erected in the village in 18 10, and stood at the north end
of the Park. It was burned December 31, 18 19. A new
house of worship was immediately erected, which was dedi-
cated, November 12, 1820. The present church was built
in 1843. The first settled pastor of this society was Elder

HAMILTON. 475

Ashbel Hosmer. The Second Baptist Church, located at
Thompson's Mills was formed from this in 1819.

The Congregational Church of Hamilton Village, was or-
ganized in February, 1828, at the house of John Foote,
with eight members. Rev. Pindar Field was first pastor.
Meetings were first held in the brick Academy, but the
house of worship was erected the same year. In 185 i, the
house was destroyed by fire. It was immediately rebuilt.
It 1 87 1, it was remodeled and repaired at a cost of about
$4,000.

St. Thomas Church, {Episcopal) of Hamilton, was organ-
ized, September 21, 1835. Rev. L. A. Barrows was first
clergyman. In 1846, the church edifice was erected. It
was of the early English Gothic style. It was consecrated

June 8, 1847.

The Methodist Church of Earlville, was organized in 1802,
at the house of Joseph Crandall. First meeting house was
built in 1 8 14. A new house was built in 1838. In 1871,
the house was built anew on the old frame at a cost of about
$5,000. Rev. Charles Giles was first pastor.

The First Congregational Church of Hamilton, was organ-
ized in 1798, by Rev. Mr. Badger of Blandford, Massachu-
setts. It was located at Hamilton Center, where the meet-
ing house was erected in 1800. Jonathan Stevens, Richard
Butler, John Pomeroy, Phineas Alvord, Annie Morgan,
Mary Schoil, Lucy Stevens and Rebecca West, constituted
the first members. First pastor, Rev. Mr. Moulton. In
1840, the meeting house was removed to Poolville.

The Universalist Church of Hamilton, was formed by Rev.
Nathaniel Stacy, at the house of David Dunbar in Hub-
bardsville, in 1808. It was then called the "Universal
Friendly Society." Rev. Mr. Stacy labored for this society
sixteen years, preaching in school houses, barns and pri-
vate dwellings. In 1833 and '34, the Universalist meeting
house was built at the Center. In 1866, the articles of
faith were revised, and a charter obtained.

476 MADISON COUNTY.

There is a Methodist Episcopal Church in Hamilton vil-
lage, which was formed as a society in 1819. We are una-
ble to present the facts in its history, from want of the nec-
essary material* We have also failed in obtaining a histor-
ical sketch of the M. E. Church at Poolville, and at East
Hamilton.

NEWSPAPERS.

The Hmnilton Recorder ^^2^% started in 18 17, by John G.
Stower and P. B. Havens. In 1819, it passed into the hands
of Stower & Williams, and afterwards into those of John P.
VanSice. In 1829, it was removed to Morrisville and united
with The Gbsetver.

The Madison Parmer vidcs> published at Hamilton in 1828,
by Nathaniel King.

The Civilian was started July 27, 1830, by Laurens
Dewey. In February, 1831, it passed into the hands of
Lewison Fairchild, and in November, 1831, it was discon-
tinued.

The Hamilton Courier was commenced by G. R. Waldron
in February, 1834, and in the following year it appeared as

The Hamilton Courier and Madison County Advertiser.
It was continued until 1838.

The Hamilton Palladium \\?iS started in 1838, by John
Atwood, and continued six years — a part of the time by J. &
D. Atwood.

The Hamilton Eagle was published in 1836, by G. R.
Waldron.

The Literary Visitor was published at Hamilton about
three months, in 1842, by Dennis Redman.

The Democratic Reflector was started at Hamilton by G.
R. Waldron, in 1842, and was published by Waldron &
Baker from 1843 to 1854, and two years by Waldron alone,
when it was united with the Madison County yournal, and
appeared as

The Democratic Republican. It was published by Wal-

* See page 451.

HAMILTON,

477

dron & James until 1861 ; by J. Hunt Smith, sixteen months,
when it passed into the hands of E. D. Van Slyck, by whom
it is now published.

The Madison County Joiumal was commer.ced Septem-
ber, 1849, by E. F. & C. B. Gould. W. W. Chubbuck, F.
B. Fisher and T. L. James were afterwards interested in its
publication ; and in 1856 it was united with the Democratic
Reflector.

The Mill Boy was published during the campaign of 1844,
at the Palladium office, and

The Polker at the Reflector office.

The Land Mark was published as a campaign paper in
1850.

The Neiv York State Radii was removed from Fort Plain,
Montgomery County, in 1854, by L. S. Backus, and con-
tinued about eighteen months, when it was returned to Fort
Plain.

The Democratic Union was commenced at Hamilton, in
1856, by Levi S. Backus ; and in 1857, it passed into the
hands of W. H. Baker, when he removed it to Oneida in
1863, where he contiues to publish it.

The Independent Voluntcef was started at Morrisville and
Hamilron, July 28, 1864, by G. R. Waldron and J. M. Chase ;
in 1865, it was published by G. R. Waldron & Son ; Sep-
tember 25, 1866, it was changed to

Waldron s Democratic Volunteer, and was first published
at Hamilton by Waldron & Son, and is now issued by
Waldron & Slauson.

4/8 MADISON COUNTY.

CHAPTER X,

LENOX.

Boundaries. — Climate. — Geography. — Ancient Occupation of
the Town by Indians. — Jesuit Missions of the Seventeenth
Century. — English Travelers. — Ancient Forts. — Rev. Samuel
Kirkland at Oneida Castle. — Traversing Armies. —Travelers'
Statements. — First White Settiers. — The Klocks. — Myndert
Wemple. — Angel DeFerriere. — Wampsville. — Quality Hill. —
Biographical. — Palmer Hill. — Oneida Castle and Skenan-
doah's Home. — Leiiox Furnace. — Caiiastota Village with
Biographical Sketches.— Oneida Village. — Oneida Commu-
nity.— Churches. — Newspapers.

The town of Lenox is bounded north by the Oneida
Lake and Oneida County, east by Oneida Creek, (the natu-
ral division between this town and Oneida County,) south
by Stockbridge and Smithfield, and west by Sullivan. It
is one of the two northern towns of Madison County. Ly-
ing north of the water shed, its streams all have a northerly
course and discharge their waters into Oneida Lake.
Oneida Creek, which rises far southward in Madison
Countv, drains the eastern part of Lenox, and, at this point,
is a noble stream, affording several mill sites. Before the
construction of dams, salmon ran up this stream as far as
Stockbridge, affording fine fishing. The Cowasselon
Creek has its numerous tributaries all along the ridge, in
the towns of Fenner and Smithfield, which pour down the
hill sides to the level country below, where the main body of
the stream, moving easterly, receives them all, then curves
northerly and westerly and receives the Canastota ; then
trails slowly through the heavy swamp into the town of

LENOX. 479

Sullivan to unite with the Canaseraga. The Canastota,
having its source in Fenner, rushes down the hills at a rapid
rate, and finally having reached the level country and wa-
tered the village of Canastota, it unites with the Cowas-
selon.

The great swamp extends from Sullivan far into this
town, but at the northward the lands borderirg the lake are
more arable. The beach on the south shore of Oneida
Lake is beautiful, and in some places well adapted to the
sports of fishing. From the earliest days the lake abound-
ed in the best qualities of the finny tribes. Spafford's Ga-
zetteer of 1812, says : " Among the most admired fish are
salmon, pike, Oswego and white bass, trout, catfish, with a
great variety of others, and eels of a superior quality and in
vast abundance."

The face of the whole town, which may be seen from the
southern high ridges, is beautiful. To the tourist coming
from the south and reaching the summit, where the macad-
amized road is ready to take its downward curve around to
the rocky base of the hill, where a branch of the Cowasse-
lon splashes from one rocky shelf to another into the gorge
below ; here, upon the highest point, it requires but a slight
stretch of the imagination to seem to be on some romantic
border ground of two widely different countries, especially
if it be at that transition period in nature, the spring time,
when the buds are bursting and the grass freshening ; when
the warmer soils and sunnier spots first show their robes of
living green ; for the climate north of the ridge materially
difftTs from that south, and brings forth vegetation two
weeks earlier. From this summit the observer's vision ex-
tends many miles southward over successive hills rising
and falling, between whose convolutions flow many streams.
Brown and bare are the still wintry looking forests, though
the faintest hue of swelling buds may just relieve the hang-
ing duskiness about the extreme crown of the maple woods ;
but let him turn to the northward and his eye sweeps a vast

480 MADISON COUNTY.

breadth of country, seeming to be a wide prairie, upon which
groves of timber have been planted ; he sees various north-
ward bound creeks and rivulets, which cease suddenly their
rushing and roaring at the base of the hills, and wind leis-
urely along the level country below him ; and in this
charmed climate lies the village of Canastota, flourishing her
fruit and ornamental trees, clothed in their new outfit of
green foliage. To the southward he has felt the chill of
winter fleeing from the breezy hill tops ; to the northward
he breathes the balmy air of spring which has crept up the
valley of the Mohawk and finds no counter-current impedi-
ment to its progress along the low, sandy country, south of
Lake Oneida.

The soil of Lenox is rich and productive, being in the
north a gravelly alluvium and in the south more clayey. It
is generally well adapted to the cultivation of wheat. Iron
ore is perceptible in the soil in many places, and limestone
abounds. The geology of this town is quite like that of
Sullivan — its various strata of rock and mineral deposits be-
ing but a continuation of the same. Beds of gypsum and
iron ore are seen in various places. On the Seneca Turn-
pike, near the crossing of the Cowasselon, are sulphur
springs of considerable strength. The development of
salt springs, as found at Canastota, exceed any in the coun-
try, except those at Syracuse.

Lenox was formed from Sullivan, ^larch 3, 1809, and is
one of the largest towns in Madison County. At the date
of its formation it embraced an area of 54,500 acres of land.
A portion of its territory was taken oft' for Stockbridge in
1836, leaving the present area 49,568 acres.

The town of Lenox, the center of the old Oneida Reser-
vation, was the established home of the Oneida Indians
for centuries. Although they had been planted at Stock-
bridge, yet we have evidences that their chief village was
at Oneida Castle as far ba/:k as 1650. Madison County
was, properly, the home of the Oneidas ; they owned all its

LENOX. ^8l

broad domain, and within its borders were situated nearly
all their villages. The Oneidas claimed but a comparatively
small part of Oneida County, and yielded their jurisdiction
of that the earliest ; so we claim the Oneidas. Since this
tribe has had no historian, it becomes our task in this work
to gather and report such fragmentary records as have been
penned by priests, travelers, and other itinerants, and
handed down among the musty documents of ages past.
From these we learn, that in 1667, a Jesuit Mission was
established at Oneida Castle by Father Jacques Bruyas.
The mission was named " St. Francis Xavier." Father
Bruyas did much towards attaching the Indians to the
French ; in his reports he names thirty Indian as having
been baptized by him. In 1677, an English traveler,
Wentworth Greenhalgh, in the interest of the English
Government, traveled through the Indian country as far as
the Senecas. He speaks of the Oneidas as having but
one town, about 130 miles west of the Mohawks, and about
twenty miles from the head of the Oneida river, which
runs into Lake Tshiroque (Lake Oneida). He says : " The
town is newly settled, double stockadoed, but little cleared
ground, so they are forced to send to the Onondagoes to buy
corn. The town consists of about 100 houses. They are
said to have about 200 fighting men. Their corn grows
round about the town."

Father Pierre Millet was stationed at Oneida, in 1684, by
De La Barre, Governor General of Canada, who remained
there till about 1696, during which time he exerted his in-
fluence to attach the Iroquois to the French. Although in
some degree successful, yet he could not win them from
their allegiance to the English and Dutch. During Father
Millet's residence here, this region was invaded by French
armies to coerce the natives, and bring them under subju-
gation, and marks of their devastating course existed a long
time after. In the meantime, the authorities at Albany
and New York maintained their friendship by keeping up

E2

482 MADISON COUNTY.

constant communication by runners on the " errant path,"
whose course through this region often awoke lively enthu-
siasm for their English and Dutch friends, who always sent
them useful presents in times of need.

When the Jesuits were recalled to Canada, tliey left
many evidences of their former presence among the Onei-
das, which, a few years since, were scarcely obliterated.

Schoolcraft* discovered some remains of the French
occupation in this town, which he saw when in Lenox, and
from which he drew a diagram. The drawing represents
the lines of a picketed work covering two sides of a fort,
beyond which is an extensive plain once cultivated. He
thus describes it : —

It is now [1846,] covered with wild grass and shrubbery.
The northern edge of the plain is traversed by a stream which
has worn its bed down to the unconsolidated strata, so as to
create a deep gorge. This stream is joined from the west by a
small run having its origin in a spring near by. Its channel at
the junction is as deep below the level of the plain as the
other. [Some few miles below on the stream is the site of an
iron cupola or blast furnace, where the red or lendcular oxyd is
reduced.] The point of junction itself forms a natural horn
work, which covered access to the water. The angle of the
plam thus marked constituted the point defended. The excava-
tions may have once been square. They are now indentations
disclosing carbonaceous matter, as if from the decay of wood ;
no wood or coal, however, existed ; their use in this position is
not apparently connected with the designated lines of palisades,
unless it be supposed that they were of an older period than the
latter, and designate pits, such as the aborigines used in defence.
This idea is favored by the ground being a litde raised at this
point, and so formed that it would have admitted the ancient
circular Indian palisade. If such were the case, however, it
seems evident that the French had selected the spot at an early
period, when, as it is known, they attempted to obtain a footing
in the country of the Oneidas. The distance is less than ten
miles north-west of the Oneida Castle. It probably covered
a mission. The site which my informant, living near, called the
old French Field, may be supposed to have been cultivated by
servants, or traders connected with it. The oak and maple trees
which once covered it as denoted by the existing forest, are such
in size and number as to have required expert axmen to fell.

With the exception of two points in the Oneida Creek valley.

LENOX. 483

where there are still vestiges of French occupation, supported
by tradition, this work is the most easterly of those known,
which remain to test the adventurous spirit, zeal and persever-
ance, which marked the attempt of the French Crown to plant
the flag and the cross in Western New York."

After the contest between the French and English was
ended, the Iroquois unmolested, pursued their usual customs,
and for several decades the present county of Madison saw-
but little of the white man, save as the trader came up to
purchase the choice furs of the bear, beaver, mink and
otter, then the only exchange products of the country, for
which he would disburse in payment, not only the gay city
notions the Indians so much admired, but many a flagon of
baneful fire water. Oneida Castle, Onondaga and other
points farther west, were regular trading posts, and it was
no uncommon scene to see companies of Indians, laden
with furs, coming in on the various trails to these points, at
periods when traders were to arrive Many fleets of fur-,
laden canoes came over lake Oneida on the same errand.
Finally, so lucrative grew the fur trade, it became necessary
to build a fort at the carrying place, between the Mohawk
River and Wood Creek, Oneida Co., and also to perfect the
water communication between here and Albany, in order to
facilitate and systematize the traffic, and to improve the
facilities for a quick and easy transportation to Albany.

In July, 1766, Rev. Samuel Kirkland took up his resi-
dence at Ka-non-wal-lo-hu-le, the Indian name for Oneida
Castle. He had intended to- settle with the Senecas, but
having ill health, had returned and decided to locate here.
In the autumn of this year, he built himself a house, cutting
and hewing the timber and digging the cellar with his own
hands. He cultivated a garden on the ground occupied, in
1850, for the same purpose, by Hon. Timothy Jenkins.*
In 1769, Mr. Kirkland married and brought his wife here,
when he found it necessary to enlarge his house from its
original dimensions often feet square, to sixteen feet square.

*Jones' Annals of Oneida County.

484

MADISON COUNTY,

His wife remained with the family of Gen. Herkimer until
he could accomplish the enlargement. This being com-
pleted, he removed her to the improved residence, in the
latter part of December. Mrs. Kirkland's presence was
soon felt in introducing order, neatness, industry, purity and
devotion among the Oneida women ; and in a few years the
influence of Mr. and Mrs. Kirkland produced a most saluta-
ry effect upon the natives, so that at the death of Sir Wil-
liam Johnson, and the breaking out of the Revolution, their
strong attachment to the principles which had been incul-
cated, won them from the interests of the Johnson family,
and attached them to the American cause. They were in-
duced by Mr. Kirkland to remain neutral ; but Skenandoah,
the famous Oneida Chief, residing here, influenced many of
them to take up arms in the defense of the Americans. On
the breaking out of actual hostilities, Mrs. Kirkland re-
turned to Massachusetts, and remained there till after the
peace of 1783, Mr. Kirkland, meantime, remaining in the
discharge of his duties, sometimes residing at Whiteslown
and sometimes at Oneida Castle,

Because the Oneidas held a neutral position, these vil-
lages were unmolested during the war, while others around
them were utterly destroyed by one or the other of the con-
tending forces. Although large bodies of soldiery passed
and repassed over their trails and through their villages,
their quiet remained undisturbed. In the spring of 1779,
Col. Van Shaick with his detachment of six companies of
New York troops, one of Pennsylvania, one of Massachu-
setts and one of rifles, amounting in all to 504 men, rank
and file, marched from Fort Schuyler to Onondaga, through
Oneida village ; — and again in September of that year. Col.
Gansevoort, with one hundred men, made his rapid march
through the Genesee Indian country to Fort Schuyler, pass-
ing through here. He had been instructed by Gen. Sulli-
van as follows : " Take particular care that your men do not
offer the inhabitants the least insult ; and, if by any accident

LENOX. 485

damage should be done, you are to make reparation, for
which I shall stand accountable." Col. Gansevoort reported
afterwards, and of his passing through Oneida Castle, says :
"Every mark of hospitality and friendship was shown our
party. I had the pleasure to find that not the. least dam-
age nor insult was offered any of the inhabitants." The
famous Vrooman adventurers and their savage pursuers,
Sir John Johnson and his barbarians, made their swift jour-
neys over the well preserved Oneida path through Lenox.

Although neutral as a tribe during the war, the Oneidas
had some famous warriors who did good service in the cause
of the colonies. Chief of them all, was the sagacious and
noble Skenandoah, who, when peril threatened to overwhelm
the colonists, left the peaceful arts of agriculture which he
had acquired with civilization, and helped to fight the bat-
tles of the Americans. The Castle was also the home of
Thomas Spencer, an Indian interpreter, who rendered most
valuable service to the cause of his country, and gave to it
liis life at the battle of Oriskany, in 1777.

After the war, the peaceful arts flourished, and the Onei-
das began to cultivate the rich lands of this town, which
they chose to reserve for their own use. They made pres-
ents of some fine tracts to their prized friends ; one to Judge
James Dean of Westmoreland, and a rich tract to Rev. Sam-
uel Kirkland. They made cessions of land to the State,
time after time, from other sections of their territory, but
preserved Lenox intact.

The Great Trail was an excellent thoroughfare for emi-
grants who had heard of the wonderful Genesee country.
In 1790, James Wadsworth opened the first wagon road
along this route as he passed westward ; but, up to the pe-
riod of which we have been speaking, not one emigrant had
come to settle in northern Madison County. It was in
1791, that the first settlers of Sullivan, the Germans, passed
here. The locating of these Germans upon a portion of the
chosen reservation of the Oneidas, did not please the lat-

486 MADISON COUNTY.

ter ; the spirit shown by the Indians on this occasion, how-
ever, deterred others from encroaching ; and not until pur-
chases were made by the State, was the town of Lenox set-
tled by white people.

From published statements made by travelers at the
time, we learn something ot Central New York at an early
day. Capt. Williamson, agent of the Pultney estate, in one
of his letters, writes of a gentleman (name not mentioned,)
moving to Genesee in the month of February, 1792, who
says : " At Whitestown I was obliged to change my sled ;
the Albany driver would proceed no further, as he found
that for the next 150 miles we were not only obliged to
take provisions for ourselves and horse, but also blankets as
a substitute for beds. After leaving Whitestown, we found
only a few huts scattered along the path, at a distance of from
ten to twenty miles apart, and they afforded nothing but the
convenience of fire and a kind of shelter from the snow."
They reached Seneca Lake on the evening of the third
day, greatly fatigued with their tedious journey. Capt.
Williamson also alludes to his own journey to the same
place that year, as follows : — " After passing Clinton, there
are no inhabitants on the road until you reach Oneida, an
Indian town, the first of the Six Nations ; it contains about
550 inhabitants ; here I slept, and found the natives very
friendly. The next day I went on to Onondaga, leaving
the Oneida Lake on the right and the Onondaga on the
left, each a few miles distant."

As before stated, the Germans, or more correctly, the
Dutch, from the Mohawk valley, had passed through here
and discovered the land to be a goodly heritage to whom-
soever should possess it. They had decided to remain in
Sullivan, with the consent of the Oneidas, upon the land
of their choice ; they were not at all disheartened by the
reverses and poverty which seemed to constantly attend
their first efforts at settlement, nor did their ill fortune de-
ter others from following in their footsteps.

LENOX. 487

The year 1792, brought the first white settlers of the
town of Lenox. Conrad Klock and his sons, Joseph, John
and Conrad, from the Mohawk country, came to the vicin-
ity of Clockville, and there located their homes. It is from
this family that the village was subsequently named. Their
settlement was increased by additions from the lower Mo-
hawk ; the Betsingers, the Moots, Jacob Forbes* and
Nicholas Forbes. They opened a road through to Cana-
seraga, which communicated with Oneida Castle, and along
this road, during the next few years, many families settled.
Capt. Jacob Seeber and others, of the Sullivan pioneers, re-
moved to this locality. Southeast of Clockville, about two
miles, was quite a compact settlement of Dutch, am ing
whom were the Snyders, Bruyeas, Kilts and Tuttles. A
half mile west of Clockville, at the four corners, one of the
settlers named Fort, kept a tavern for many years.

At this day (1871,) many of the old farms are in posses-
sion of members of the above named families ; D. B. Moot
is in possession of the old Forbes place ; N. M. Moot owns
the homestead of his father ; Adam Klock has also his fath-
er's homestead ; Abram Snyder is the owner of the farm-
his father, Adam R. Snyder, took up.

On the opening of the Seneca tuinpike, Myridert Wem-
ple, a bla:ksmith, who had been sent among the Indians by
Gen. Washington, opened a tavern at the place which was
afterwards named from him, Wampsville. This tavern, being
the only one there for many years, was widely known to
the traveling and emigrating public. (This old tavern
building is still standing as a farm I:ouse. In 1870, the
farm upon which it stands was sold by Mr. Benjamin
Dyer to Mr, Miner, of the Eagle Hotel, Oneida.) Wemple
was a favorite with the Indians ; they gave him a tract of
land in Westmoreland, one mile squar., which wns known
as "Wemple's Patent."

* Isaac Forbes, son of Jacob Forbes, was in times past a Magistrate and Deputy
Slueritf.

488 MADISON COUNTY.

Before 1800, Angel De Ferriere, a Frenchman, who had
married a daughter of Louis Dennie, a leading family among
the Oneidas, was prevailed upon by his wife's relatives to
take up his abode in their territory, and as an inducement,
the wife's brother, Jonathan Dennie, made her a present of
a very nice farm near Wampsville. After this, Mr. De
Ferriere made large additions to this estate by purchases,
receiving from the Indians the benefit of their title, and ob-
taining, also, a patent from the State. Ha so increased his
possessions, that at one time he owned 3,000 acres of the
best grade of land in Lenox. He built a tavern, a saw mill
and grist mill, a distillery and brewery ; and with rare dis-
crimhiation, selected worthy and industrious young men,
and set them up in business in the little village he had
founded. The tavern, a fine building for its day, being a
large two-story house, was kept by Dr. Stockton ; and from
such an authority as DeWitt Clinton, who put up here on a
journey westward, we learn that it was the best tavern on
the road. After Dr. Stockton's term of renting had expired,
a Mr. Alcott took the house. The grist mill, which stood
nearly on the site of Duncan McDougall's flouring mill, was
run by Mr. McCollum, a Scotchman. Mr. DeFerriere em-
ployed a man to carry on the brewery, set up a blacksmith
and a shoemaker, and built a small store. Although un-
used to our customs and unable to speak English when he
came to America, his good knowledge of human nature, his
ready tact and common sense, usually rendered him success-
ful in selecting the right sort of men to assist him in his af-
fairs ; he also speedily acquired our language, so that he
soon became able to transact any part of his own business,
making out his contracts and conveyances in his own hand.
His land extended nearly to Oneida village ; he subse-
quently sold much of it to white settlers, many of whom, or
their successors, to-day possess old titles and papers in the
orthography and chirography of Angel DeFerriere. His
own house, long since removed, stood near the tavern and

LENOX. 489

opposite the cottage built in later years, vvhich is now stand-
ing on the homestead farm. (Note m.)

The Cowassalon* Creek courses through here ; and north
of DeFerriere's and the adjacent village of Wampsville, was
the Indian village. A great deal of business was transacted
at Wampsville at an early day. The Seneca Turnpike was
a great road ; six and eight horse teams hauling covered
emigrant wagons with wide-tired wheels, were constantly
passing over it.

Luther Cole was the first mail carrier west of Utica.
Judge Young, of Whitestown, was the first agent of the
Seneca Turnpike Company ; he built the De Ferriere
bridge over the Cowassalonf at Wampsville, which was
then known as a great bridge. His name and the date of
its construction was inscribed on the bridge. It was at last
destroyed by a freshet, when its foundation was washed
away and its two arches fell by the violence of the flood.
Judge Young was succeeded by Gardiner Avery as agent
of the Turnpike Co. ; he continued in ofitice a number of
years, and was succeeded by Capt. Harvey Cobb, now a
citizen of Wampsville, who held the agency till the turnpike
was given up by the Company and became a common pub-
lic highway.

On the opening of the Erie Canal, the lands about
Wampsville and throughout the town along its line, were in
market and were rapidly sold. A portion of Wampsville
Flats was purchased by Peter Smith and Elisha Williams,
(the latter gentleman a noted lawyer, of Hudson, N. Y.,)
which purchase was known as "the purchase of 181 5."
These lands were sold out in farms. Southward from Fed-
eral and Quality Hills, or south side of and adjoining the
Seneca Turnpike, was "the purchase of 1798," which then

* Pronounced " kwos-a-lone ;" meaning bushes hanging over the water. It is
sometimes erroneously spoken, " Squash-a-lone." DeWitt Clinton, hearing the
latter pronunciation, supposed it to be " Squaw-a.lone," and has so written it. By
some it is said to mean " Weeping Squaw."

f At the foot of " Break Neck Hill."

490 MADISON COUNTY.

found a ready market, as the turnpike lands became a great
attraction to emigrants. In Judge Thomas Barlow's enter-
taining sketches, published in the Canastota Herald in 1868,
he gives a narrative from Col. Cadwell's experience in the
early settlement of Quality Hill and its vicinity. To this
narrative the author is indebted for much of the history of
this section. We learn from this source that as early as
1802, there were no houses on the north side of the turn-
pike from Wampsville to Quality Hill ; all was woodland
except here and there cleared spots. The road leading
south by Dr. Hall's was the only road going south from the
turnpike between the two places. The Colonel says :
"The first labor I performed when I came here, (1802,) was
in laying a causeway across the swamp at the bottom of the
hill on this road." There was, however, a considerable
population from near Federal Hill, westwardalong the turn-
pike, of which Quality Hill was the nucleus ; here, individ-
uals of enterprise, education, and in many instances of
wealth, settled. The name of "Quality Hill" was given
by a young lady. Miss Lucinda Harris, daughter of Dr.
Harris, who lived in a log house on the spot where now
may be seen the stately mansion of Sylvanus Stroud. Miss
Harris, it seems, regarded the ladies of the hill as enjoying
better advantages than those around them, and therefore as
" putting on a little more style " than they would, had it
been otherwise ; hence, so far as a name would do it, she
qualified and dignified the place and people by prefixing the
title " Quality " to the " Hill," by which not inappropriate
name the locality was known as early as 1800, and has been
so known to this day. Miss Harris married Elisha Buttolf
and resided for a time a half mile west of the Hill.

An old resident, in a recent communication, remarks o
this part of Lenox : "The soil being in possession of all its
strength and fatness, produced most luxuriant crops of all
the cereals, and where but lately stood a growth of heavy
timber might be seen the tasseled tops of a rich crop of

LENOX.

491

Indian corn, and a yellow harvest of wheat waving in the
breeze, side by side. So congenial was the new land to the
growth oi p?nnpkins, that in the harvest of some years, a man
might walk over an acre of ground on pumpkins at every
step ! Hence, the hill near where my father lived was called
' Pumpkin Hill.' "

Sylvanus Smalley, afterwards Judge, who was one of the
first settlers, kept tavern at Quality Hill many years. His
was also the first tavern of the place ; it was built of logs
with a frame front. It was long ago removed, and the
Judge erected a fine two-story house, (now owned by Je-
rome Hoffman,) in which he lived many years. He died at
Durhamville. After Judge Smalley, this tavern was kept
by John P. Webb for a long term of years.

In 1802, there lived upon the hill, Dr. Asahel Prior, Da-
vid Barnard, Aaron Francis, Abiel Fuller, David Barnard,
jr., Dea. Ebenezer Cadwell, Isaac Senate, Samuel Louder,
Nehemiah Smalley, Mr. Tucker, Selah Hills, Job Lockwood,
Nash Mitchell, tanner and currier by trade, Dr. Harris and
Ichabod Buell.

Passing along east from Quality Hill, there lived east of
the creek, as it then ran, a Mr. Handy, who was a deerskin
and leather dresser. There were deer in the forests, and
many of the inhabitants wore deer skin pants, from material
prepared by Mr. Handy. There was a brick yard on the flat
near there, and Jason Powers, who came to Quality Hill in
1801, worked in the yard and boarded with Mr. Handy, and
finally married his daughter, Lovina. Near here was also
a distillery. On the south side of the road toward Federal
Hill was a tavern kept by Joseph Phelps. On Federal Hill,
on the south side of the road, Thomas Menzie was located
and sold goods, trading mostly with the Indians. In 1802,
there was no other dwelling from this point to Wampsville.

West from Quality Hill, on the turnpike, in the section
called " Oak Hill," it was considerably settled by farmers,
who had made quite spacious clearings around their homes,

492 MADISON COUNTY.

and were well started in the world. Squire Ebenezer Calk-
ins, then a young man, resided in a log house, where he
afterwards built, and where the Perkins have since lived.
'Col Zebulon Douglass was keeping tavern on his well
known farm, west of Col. Calkins' ; Reuben Hale lived on
the hill nearly west of what is now know as the Culver res-
idence ; Gen. Ichabod S. Spencer lived on the flat between
Mr. Hale's and where Col. Stephen Lee afterwards lived ;
Col. Thomas W. Phelps worked at the harness making busi-
ness, opposite Col. Lee's ; a Mr. Pettibone kept tavern
here before 1802 ; this tavern was burned down and never
rebuilt.

After 1802, the population of this locality was added to
by many other substantial citizens, among whom were Har-
vey G. Morse, Edward Lewis, Thomas W. Phelps, Wm. L
Hopkins, Joseph Bruce and Squire "Wager. Dr. Thomas
Spencer was an early resident of Quality Hill, as were also
his brothers, Joshua A. and Ichabod S. Spencer.

South and south-west from here on the Clockville and
Canaseraga road, Walter, Sylvester, Hezekiah and Lines
Beecher, located at an early date. The first two named,
were afterwards Judges of the County Court. Dea. John
Hall, from Massachusetts, settled on Oak Hill in 1806.
Dea. Nathaniel Hall,* from Connecticut, and Dr. Nathan-
iel Hall, his son, came in 1807. Their farms were in the
Beecher neighborhood.

About 1 8 10, a singular and fatal affair occurred in the
Beecher and Hall neighborhood. Two young men, named
John Allen and John Harp, were at work plowing for
Judge Beecher, and obtained some of the roots of Cicuta,
supposing it to be " Sweet Sicily," and ate of it. In a

* Horace H. Hall, of Quality Hill, has in his possession an old relic, descended
to him from his grandfather, Deacon Nathaniel Hall. It is an ancient powder
■ horn, quaintly carved, bearing the inscription "Nathaniel Hall 1759." This early
resident of Lenox, was born in Guilford, Conn., in 1741, and died in Lenox, in
1818, aged 76 years. He served in the war of the Revolution, having been
called from peaceful pursuits at several different times in periods of emergency.

LENOX.

493

short time they discovered the horrible mistake they had
made and attempted to reach some neighbor's house, but
found themselves unable to go. One of them succeeded
in making himself heard, and soon the whole neighborhood
was aroused ; physicians were procured, among whom were
Drs. Hall and Prior, and every effort possible was made to
save the victims, which, however, availed nothing, for before
sunset of the same day they were both dead. The sad affair
created inteise excitement. The house of Judge Eeecher,
where the young men were carried, was immediately throno-ed
with almost the entire population for miles around, and the
funeral was the largest this part of the country bad yet
known.

Among other early settlers ct this part of the town, were
a Mr. Cotton, Evard Van Epps, Gift Hills, John Hills,
Martin Vrooman and Benjamin Smith, — the latter kept a tav-
ern. The first person who engaged in the mercantile busi-
ness at Quality Hill was Capt. William Jennings. He was
succeeded by Maj. Joseph Bruce, who was a merchant here
many years. At a very early day, contemporaneous with
Jei.nings, the firm of Walton, Beebe & Hall kept a store,
erecting a building for that purpose. The village had at
one time two taverns, which did ample business. The pros-
perity of these institutions, may be in good part accounted for
by the fact that the turnpike was a constantly traveled
thoroughfare, especially in winter when teaming was a
great business. As many as forty teams in a line have
been seen at one sweep of the eye, from the stand point of
Quality Hill, eastward toward Federal Hill. There were other
taverns near by, both east and west of the village. Besides
the business institutions already mentioned, there were at the
same time on Quality Hill, a post office, several shops and a
Masonic Lodge, to which a large number ot the leading men
of the country round about belonged.

The meetings and trainings of the military organizations
were the occasions of the great gatherings ot early days in

494 MADISON COUNTY.

town and county, the officers of which were the most con-
spicuous men of the times. During the war of 1812, the
patriotic citizens of Lenox raised a company of horse
artillery that volunteered lor the war. The officers were:
Captain, William Jennings ; First Lieut., Joseph Bruce ;*
Second Lieut., Argelus Cady ; Cornet, David Beecher ;
Orderly Sergeant, J. Austin Spencer. It was at this time
that Capt. Jennings made himself famous for his poetical
order on Gov. Daniel D. Tompkins, which has been related
as follows : — The officers had met at the store of Lieut.
Bruce to prepare a requisition letter to the Governor, for
two field pieces. While discussing the form in which to
address so distinguished a nian. Judge Hopkins, at tha't
time doing duty on the bench, made a bantering wager with
Capt. Jennings that the ordnance could be procured on an
order, the form of which should be dictated by him.
Hopkins walked up to the desk, seized the pen and forth-
with produced the following : —

" Great Daniel D., we send to thee
For two great-guns and trimmings;

Send them to hand, or you'll be d d,

By order of

(]apt. Jennings."

This of course created a good deal of amusement, and
though it was not officially sent to the Governor, as the ord-
nance was obtained through a regular order, the story was
too good to be kept ; the Governor, who was fond of a good
joke, in some way learned of the incident, and was also
made aware that his friend, the Judge, had a hand in it.
Some of the officers in this Company were rewarded for
gallant services in the war, by promotion, and they,
with others, sent to Albany by Judge Hopkins for their
commissions. On calling for them at the proper office, the
Judge learned that they were all made out and lacked on
the signature of the Governor. To facilitate the business,

* Lieut. Bruce commanded the Company during its whole term of service, Capt.
Jennings being sick, and unable to act as Captain.

LENOX. 495

he offered to take them himself to His Excellency, who, on
receiving them, placed his autograph to the documents, one
after the other, till coming to one belonging to Capt. Jen-
nings' Company, he stopped and very gravely inquired : " Is
this by order of Capt. Jennings ? "

The 75th Regiment had its head-quarters at Quality Hill ;
Col. Zebulon Douglass was its first Colonel, Thomas W.
Phelps its second, and Stephen L'ee its third.

The Congregational Church, at this place, was organized
with a large and influential membership, as early as 1809.
Nathaniel Hall and John Hall were its first Deacons. Its
first trustees were Zebulon Douglass, Sylvester Beecher,
Asa Cady and Mr. Sessions. Its first minister, it appears,
was the Rev. Mr. Palmer; the next. Rev. Mr. Hubbard.
These two, however, could have been employed to preach
but a short time, as the Rev. Ira M. Olds was the first reg-
ular pastor installed at the time, or soon after the organi-
zation of the church. The church building was framed and
raised in 1814 ; it was a large and expensive edifice when
all completed and dedicated in 18 19.

Quality Hill, with its men of strength and influence, vied-
with other sections of Madison County in holding the bal-
ance of political power. ■ Hamilton and Lenox had the
Courts alternately, up to 18 10. Judge Smalley was the
first Judge. In this place, these alternate Courts were held
in the school house near David Barnard's. The first trial
for murder, in Madison County, that of Hitchcock of Mad-
ison, for poisoning his wife, was held in Judge Smalley 's
barn, the excitement being so great that the school house
could make no approximation towards accommodating the
numbers present. Judge Van Ness of Utica, presided at
this trial, whose charge to the jury on the occasion, it has
often been remarked, was one of the most remarkable pro-
ductions of that day, or of any recent time.

Among the early settlers of Federal Hill, (so named be-
cause its prominent residents were Federalists,) was Thomas

496 MADISON COUNTY.

Y. Kneiss, who removed to this section about 1806. He was
a man of fine abilities, and was highly respected for his pro-
bity and good judgment. At one period, probably no man
in town had greater influence. He held several town offi-
ces ; was Justice of the Peace very early, retaining the of-
fice several years. There is an anecdote told of Squire
Kneiss, which is sufficiently illustrative to transfer : In
that day, the office of Justice of the Peace was filled by a
Council of Appointment. Mr. Kneiss was a thorough Fed-
eralist, and when the Democrats came into power, (perhaps
in 18 12,) members of that party in Lenox, appealed to the
Council for a man of their own party to supersede him.
When the papers removing him, reached the post office at
Quality Hill, several Democrats present, who were in the
secret, narrowly watched the Squire as he perused the doc-
ument. Quite anxious to know its contents, <»ne of them
said : " What is it. Squire ?" " Oh, nothing," quietly re-
plied Mr. Kneiss, " only I can exclaim with the apostle
Paul, ' sin revived and I died !' "

Sylvanus Smalley, Walter Beecher, Zebulon Douglass,
Nathaniel Hall, jr., Thomas Spencer and Sylvester Beecher,
were early Members of Assembly from this town.

Dr. Asahel Prior was one of the prominent men of Qual-
ity Hill ; he came to this town about 1797, lived some years
in a log house, and then built the second frame house erected
on Quality Hill. Here the Doctor lived till his death, and
his place is still occupied by his children. In 18 13, he be-
came a member of the State Medical Society. The follow-
ing obituriry notice is clipped from the Canastota Herald:
"DIED — In Lenox, Jan. 12, 1856, Dr. Asahel Prior, aged 84

years.

Doctor Prior was a resident of this town 59 years. Possessed
of sound judgment and superior skill in his profession, he
was engaged faithfully, devotedly, and successfully in the per-
formance of its arduous duties for more than 40 years and until
incapacitated by the infirmities of age. Of gentlemanly manners,
strict integrity, genial and kindly temperament, he won the re-
spect and esteem of all classes of his lellow citizens. Hl- was a

LENOX. 497

:^ood citizen, an affectionate husband and father, an agreeable
companion, in short his character shone brightly in all the social
relations. He endured in common with his fellow citizens all
the privations and hardships incident to the first settlement of a
new country, and on no class perhaps do these hardships press
more heavily than on the physician, in consequence of the bad-
ness of roads and poverty of the sparse population, and conse-
quent inability to remunerate his toils. When this now rich and
populous town was a wilderness and only dotted here and there
with the log cabins of the early pioneers. Dr. Prior was a wel-
come visitor among their lowly habitations, and often to the sick
and suffering poor were his valuable services rendered without
fee or reward. He will be held in grateful memory by very
many families whose maladies were healed by his medical skill,
and whose sorrowing hearts were comforted by his cheerful and
urbane deportment and kindly sympathy. One of the most dis-
tinguished medical men* Madison County has produced, has
ever gratefully recognized Dr. Prior as one of the most efficient
of his early friends and patrons. But our venerable friend, after
a long life of usefulness, has gone to that ' Undiscovered country
from whose bourne no traveler returns.'
" Peace to his ashes laid
In the earth's cold bosom, peace."

From a recent communication the following- particulars
relating to individuals in this vicinity, are learned. A man
named Cathcart, from Massachusetts, came to live in the
vicinity of the present Canastota in 1805. He moved into
Mary Doxtater's log cabin, for his home. Mr. Cathcart
and his wife made friends with the Indians on the Reserva-
tion, by whom they were surrounded. The Indian Chief,
Hon Yost, was very friendly with the family, and was par-
ticularly attached to Mr. Cathcart's little daughter of five or
six years, (the present Mrs. Charles Stroud). He used to
make grape-vine swings to amuse her and would allow no
one to swing her but himself, lest she should come to harm.
Years after, when the Reservation had been sold to white
men, and the Indians had removed, Hon Yost, after twenty
years' absence, and then near a century old, returned to see
the white girl and receive from her hands garments to en-

*Dr. Thomas Spencer.
F2

498 MADISON COUNTY.

shroud his body after death, according to the customs of
white men. About a year passed, and the worn out form
of the venerable Hon Yost was wrapped in the garments he
so longed to wear.

It will not be amiss here to mention the family of the
Strouds, who, theirselves, have been residents here since
about 1 8 16. The two brothers, Sylvanus and Charles
Stroud, were natives of Vermont. Both have been well
know as contractors on the canal and other public works.
Both are self-made, self-sustaining, and of the efficient bus-
iness men of Lenox, as well as useful members of society.
Mrs. Cathcart, the mother of Mrs. Charles Stroud, and the
before named early settler in Canastota, is still living at the
advanced age of ninety-five years.

Early in this century, considerable settlement had been
made in the southern part of the town. A new street was
laid out about a mile north of and running parallel with
" Mile Strip," which was settled by the Palmers and Ran-
dalls, emigrants from Stonington, Conn., and from Rhode
Island. " There were formerly," says R. Randall, of Clin-
ton, Mich., "some twelve famdies of the Randalls and se-
venteen of the Palmers." On " Lenox Hill," better known
as " Palmer's Hill," there were living at one time six Joseph
Palmers. To distinguish these, people gave each name an
affix or prefix. There was " Squire Jo," and his son Joseph
S., called " Sheriff Jo," he having been once Sheriff of the
County ; another was "Jo Elijah," from being Elijah's son ;
another was distinguished as "Jo Down," from having dwelt
at the foot of a hill in Connecticut ; Joseph Palmer, 3d, was
known as " Jo Deacon," because his brother was a deacon ;
and the sixth bore the soubriquet of " Clever Jo." They
were generally very respectable, industrious and - indepen-
dent farmers. These families are now scattered all over the
North West.

Thomas Case located q'uite early on Palmer street, and
Martin Lamb, formerly one of the Supervisors, was another
early settler in the same vicinity.

LENOX.

499

From information obtained of Mrs. D. Ciiase, who, in
i8 14, when a child twelve years of age, resided a year in the
family of" Clever Jo," we condense the following: In this
neighborhood of Palmers, Goodwins, Randalls, Gallups and
Cransons, the original dwellings, erected by the settlers on
first arriving upon their lands, were double log houses ; if ad-
ditions were made they were also of logs and for the pur-
pose of having handsomer apartments, being nicely ceiled
and having hard wood floors from the best timber in the
forest. The huge stone chimneys, an improvement upon
the old stick chimneys, invariably stood in the center of the
houses ; in the ample fire-places the huge back-logs made
cheery comfort in the long winter evenings, and on those
broad hearth-stones the coals scarcely ever died out, for the
day of "lucifer matches" had not yet arrived. As regularly
as the hour of bed-time approached, just so regularly did the
good man of the house rake the ashes over the bed of glow-
ing coals ; and if, perchance, at earliest morning dawn — the
hour at which all thrifty farmers rose in those days — he
found not a spark of fire, forthwith some one of his house-
hold was dispatched to the nearest neighbor, who might
live a half mile off, or only just over the way, with the big
fire shovel to " borrow " fire. Many a time has the luckless
urchin sent upon this errand, weary with the weight of the
iron shovel in attempting to shift it to an easier position for
carrying, jostled the coals upon the ground, and before they
could be replaced the last spark of fire was extinguished,
■while his steps were to be retraced to obtain a fresh supply.

Every farmer raised his patch of flax, and near the house
or barn, a nice piece of meadow land was used for the plat
upon which it was annually spread to rot. Every barn
contained the flax hetchel ; every house was supplied with
its hand cards for flax and for wool, its spinning wheel and
inen wheel and loom, while every housewife spun and wove
ler linen for summer, with its stripe or check of blue for
iprons, the brown tow for the pantaloons and frocks for the

c;00 MADISON COUNTY.

men, the fine linen for lowels, for bedding and under wear,
and her woolen for winter — the warm heavy cloths for
men's wear, the more soft and thin for women and children,
and for bedding. Their bed comforters were made of flan-
nel stuffed with wool, " cotton batting " having never been
heard of then. Other kinds of goods were seldom worn.
America was just emerging from the war of 1812, and cor Id
not afford to buy goods of foreign make. Some people
bought " hum-hum," which was a rather thin and coarse
quality of bleached shirting, for men's Sunday wear. Every
woman had her visiting dress, or " ropper," (wrapper,) and
shortgown of chintz or calico, which cost five or six shillings
per yard, while a very stylish gown was made of cambric,
some patterns of blue, others purple, lilac, plum color,
black, &c., at a cost of one dollar a yard. The invariable
go-to-meeting dress of summer, for every young lady
was tbe simple and pretty white muslin or cambric. In
winter, many matrons had their broadcloth cloaks, some
black, though red was a very fashionable color. Our pres-
ent water-proof, with hood, is cut very much after the
style of 1 8 12-14, but those of that date were lined with silk
and edged with fur or down. Black satin cloaks of the
same shape, were also worn, at a cost of twenty dollars and
upwards, while those of broadcloih often cost forty dollars
each. But these were luxuries indulged in only by those in
easy circumstances, while ladies of more moderate means
contented themselves with the finest flannel, fulled and
pressed, for cloaks. All families, rich or poor, wrought hard
in the manufacture of home-made goods, bleaching their
linen to a snowy whiteness by aid of weak ley and the bat-
tle-board, an instrument resembling a small paddle, used
instead of our modern washing machines in cleansing-
cloth, s. Wringers and other labor-saving utensils, had noJt
been dreamed of, and wash-boards were unheard of previous
to this. The first wash-board ever seen in that section was
brought into Lenox by a relative of Mr. Palmer, (his name

'i

LENOX. 501

is forgotten,) who was on a visit from one of the Eastern
States, in 1814. It was looked upon as quite a curiosit),
and withal considered a great improvement.

During all the years in which these various settlements
were growing up, Oneida Castle, chiefly in Vernon, but
identified with the interests of this town, was the chief vil-
LiLCe of this section. It was then, nevertheless, an Indian
village ; one in which great meetings were often held, when
the Indians came from all quarters annually to receive their
an n uities. Before the settlement of the country, Skenandoah,
I ■le great Oneida Chief, kept a tavern here for the accom-
iiiodation of travelers ; they spoke well of his house. In
18 10, the Indian school house, and the Missionary church
in which Mr. Kirkland preached, were there. DeWitt
Clinton, on a journey through the place, in 18 10, says : —

" At the end of the bridge over Oneida Creek, there stood
a beautiful Indian girl, offering apples for sale to persons
that passed. We saw Indian boys trying to kill birds,
others driving cattle on the plains ; some Indians were
plowing with oxen, and at the same lime their heads were
ornamented with white feathers ; some were driving a
wagon ; the women milking and churning — all indications
' of incipient civilization.

"About four miles from Stockton's, we stopped at Skenan-
doah's house. He was formerly Chief Sachem of all the
Oneidas ; but since the nation has been split up between
Christian and Pagan parties, he is only acknowledged by
the former. The Chief of the latter is Capt. Peter, a very
■sensible man. The morals of the Pagans are better than
(those of the Christians. The former still practice some of
their ancient superstitions ; on the first new moon of every
new year they sacrifice a white dog to the Great Spirit, and
devote six days to celebrate the commencement of the new
year. The Christian party are more numerous by one hund-
red than the Pagan ; they are entirely separated in their
e rritory as well as in their God.

502

MADISON COUNTY.

" Skenandoah is one hundred and one years old, and his
wife seventy-four. He is weak and can hardly walk. His
face is good and benevolent, and not much wrinkled ; he is
entirely blind, but his hair is not gray. He smokes, and
can converse a little in English. He was highly delighted
with a silver pipe that was given him by Governor Tomp-
kins. His wife was afflicted with bronchocele or goitre. *

* * * A number of his children and grand

children were present. His daughter looked so old that at
first I took her for his wife. Some of the females were
handsome. His house is one hundred yards from the road>
situated on the margin of a valley, through which a pleasant
stream flows ; it is a small frame building, painted red, and
adjoining it is a log house. There were four bedsteads in
the room, composed of coarse wooden bunks, so called, and
covered by blankets and pillows, instead of beds. A large
kettle of corn was boiling, which was the only breakfast the
family appeared to have. It was occasionally dipped out
from the pot into a basket, from which the children ate.
The furniture and farming utensils were coarse and those of
civilized persons.

" His eldest son came in spruced up like an Indian beau.
His features are handsome. He ate out of the basket.
It is said, on his father's demise, he will succeed him as
Chief Sachem, but if I understand their system aright, the
office of Sachem is personal, not hereditary. [See Indian
chapter on this point.] ***** Such
is the mode of living of the first Chief of an Indian nation.
In England, he would be recognized as a King. * *

" Abram Hatfield and his wife, Quakers, have resided here
some time, having been sent by that society, principally with
a view to teach the savages agriculture, for which they re-
ceive $200 a year. Hatfield was sick ; his wife appeared to
be a kind good woman, well qualified for the duties allotted
to her. They are amply provided with oxen and instru-
ments of agriculture, to administer to the wants and instruc-
tion of the Indians. * *

LENOX. 503

" In this village, we saw several very old women, and there
was an old Indian, named the Blacksmith, recently dead, older
than Skenandoah, who used to say that he was at a treaty
with William Penn. There was a boy far gone in consump-
tion, which was a prevalent disease among them. Last
winter, they were severely pressed by famine ; and ad-
monished by experience, they intend to put in considera-
ble wheat — to which they have been hitherto opposed —
and they now have large crops of corn. They appear to be
well provided with neat cattle and hogs. * * *

They evince great parental fondness, and are much pleased
with any attention to their children. An Indian child in
Skenandoah's house took hold of my cane ; to divert him, I
gave him some small money ; the mother appeared much
pleased, and immediately offered me apples to eat — the best
thing she had to give.

" In passing the Oneida Reservation, we saw some white
settlers, and it is not a little surprising that they receive
any encouragement from the Indians, considering how often
they have been coaxed out of their lands by their white
brethren."

In 1 8 16, a Mission was established at Oneida Castle, by
Bishop Hobart, of the Protestant Episcopal Church, Rev.
Eleazer Williams taking charge. Under his ministration,
the Pagan party was converted and became the " Second
Christian Party of the Oneida Nation." In 18 18, this party
sold a piece of land to enable them to erect a Chapel, which
was consecrated by Bishop Hobart, September 21, i8i9,by
the title of " St. Peter's Church." The edifice stood on the
hill south-easterly from the " Butternut Orchard," in the vi-
cinity of Oneida Castle. This was sold to the Unitarian
Congregational Society of Vernon village, in 1840, and re-
moved to that place. The same bell that formerly called
the Indians to worship still hangs in its steeple. Some
years since several of the Oneidas who had emigrated to
Green Bay returned to visit their native home. During

504

MADISON COUNTY.

their stay, some of them were at Vernon village, and the
sound of the old bell greeted their ears ; they stood still in
a group and listened reverently and in silence ; its solemn
tones were recognized ; its well remembered peals vibrated
upon their heart strings like loving spirit voices, hailing to
them from the depths of departed time ; stoics, as they were,
their eyes moistened, evincing the deep feeling of their na-
tures on this sudden summoning to memory of the old
scenes and associations in which the venerable bell had a part.

Rev. Elcazer Williams went to Green Bay with the In-
dians. [See the chapter on the Oneida Indians, given else-
where.]

In the mean time, Oneida Castle became settled with
white people, and the village grew thriftily. An academy
was early established, and maintained a good reputation
among the academic institutions of the country. In 1841,
the village was incorporated, at which time it contained
about 400 inhabitants, sixty dwelling houses, one Presby-
terian and one Baptist Church, two taverns and two stores.

Lenox Furnace was another of the early enterprises of
this town. It was located one mile south of Wampsville,
and was, for a long term of years, the leading business in-
stitution of the town. •

The " Lenox Iron Company" was organized in 18 15, with
400 shares of ^50 each, to be paid as called for by the trus-
tees, and in default of payment thereof, the shares, and all
previous payments were to be forfeited. The names of
some of the original stockholders, were : — Judge Thomas R.
Gould*, Whitestown ; William Cheever and Augustine J.
Daubyt, Utica ; Conradt Moot, Lenox ; James S. Sennet,
Lenox ; Eliphalet Sweeting, Paris ; John Sweeting, West-
moreland. Subsequently, among others, the following were
added :— Gen. Joseph Kirkland, Utica ; Gardner Avery,
Paris ; William Cobb, Lenox ; Capt. J. N. Avery, Paris ;

* Judge Gould was an eminent lawyer and jurist, of Oneida County,
t At an early day editor of the Utica Observer.

LENOX. 505

Col. Stephen Chapman, Lenox. The first agent of the
company was Lewis J. Dauby, of Whitestown, he being
succeeded by Gardner Avery, who manufactured the first
cast iron, in November, 18 16. He operated the furnace
successfully several years. William Cobb succeeded Mr,
Avery, and was agent till 1827, when J. N. Avery received
the agency, and continued till the business was closed in
1847, in consequence of the exhaustion of timber for char-
coal, there being then no method of smelting iron with
mineral coal. Iron ore was hauled to this establishment on
sleighs, from Clinton, Westmoreland and Verona. The
company manufactured hollow ware of all descriptions, in-
cluding potash, caldron and salt kettles ; also castings for
plows, and all kinds of shop and cooking stoves in current
use. They began in the stove line with the first invention
— " Dr. Noyes'* Parlor Stove," then considered a great
achievement. The first pattern of the " Franklin Stove "
was also cast here, and we presume, also, the first cooking
stove, invented by David Gage. Connected with the works
were a number of dwelling houses, the general boarding
house, a blacksmith shop, a carpenter and joiner's shop,
and a store and office. The place bore the title of " Lenox
Furnace Village," and was so given, conspicuously, on all
the maps up to 1850.

George B. Cady now (1871,) has a woolen factory at this
place, where doeskins, cassimeres, tweeds, satinets, flannels,
&c., are manufactured. In 1867, it was fitted up with new
machinery, and turned out 200 yards of cloth per day, with
nineteen hands. The firm have also a good reputation lor
custom work.

The dry lands on the south border of Oneida Lake were
settled after 1808, though Col. Cadwell was the pioneer in
this section in 1807. He opened a clearing in the forest,
laid out new roads, and did much during the first two years

* Dr. Noyes was then a Professor in Hamilton College.

5o6 MADISON COUNTY.

in the way of inducements to others to settle. Oneida Val-
ley was one of the early villages. One of the oldest Presby-
terian Churches of the town was located here. This church,
with a store, hotel and about thirty houses, comprise the
present village.

Durhamville is located on the Oneida Creek, mostly on
the side, in the town of Verona, Oneida County. It
was named from Eber Durham, who removed from Manlius,
Onondaga County, in 1826. When he arrived, there were
four log houses within the limits of the present village. By
his energy and enterprise, a flourishing village soon came
into being, its rapid growth being greatly promoted by the
use of the hydraulic power, furnished by the surplus water
here discharged from the Erie Canal, and turned to account
by Mr. Durham, who leased it from the State. This source
of prosperity is now dried up, the Canal officers having
found that the rents were far from being equal to the dam-
ages to navigation in times of low water. The enterprising
business men, however, have endeavored to make good the
loss by use of steam ; a steam flouring and grist mill, and a
steam saw mill arein operation. The place has also a tan-
nery, a glass factory and an iron foundry ; there are two
churches, (Baptist and Methodist,) two taverns, two dry
goods stores, nine grocery and provision stores, three ware-
houses and various mechanics, with a population of about
1000. In the earlier years of the Erie Canal, this point was
known as " Hotchkiss Basin." I-- 18 16, Calvin Baker was
married at this place. It was the first wedding of a white
couple between Oneida Castle and Oneida Lake.

Oneida Lake and South Bay are hamlets on the lake
shore.

Merrelsville is a hamlet in the south part of the town,
having a woolen factory, which was one of the early woolen
mills of Madison County.

Pine Bush (at Bennett Corners Station on the Midland
Railroad,) is also a hamlet located on the east road leading

LENOX. 507

from Oneida Castle to Knoxville. It belonged to the last
Indian Reservation. There was formerly a store, hotel and
several shops here ; a good Methodist Church was erected
here some years since. Several years ago the store was
burned ; the tavern is now the farm house of William
Nelson.

CANASTOTA VILLAGE.

The land upon which Canastota village stands, was, in the
first decade of this century, but a low, swampy forest, with
a small clearing on the west side of the present village, trav-
ersed by Canastota Creek. Canastota is located upon what
was formerly known as the ** Canastota Reservation " which
was a part of, and was reserved from the " Canastota Tract,"
when that Tract was purchased by the State from the Onei-
da Indians. This purchase extended from Oneida Lake
shore to within about a half mile of the Seneca Turnpike,
and contained ninety-one lots. The Reservation consisted
of 329 1-2 acres. In 1808, the State authorized 10,000
acres of the Canastota Tract to be surveyed off to the
Twenty Townships north of the Unadilla, each of those
Townships to have 500 acres, to be appropriated to Gospd
and School purposes. This took the most of the Tract, be-
ginning at the Lake Shore.*

Capt. Reuben Perkins, a resident of the west part of the
town, came and obtained of the Indians the land which is
now the site of Canastota, for which he obtained a patent
from the State, in March, 1810, bearing the signature of
Daniel D. Tompkins, Governor. At the time of his pur-
chase seven or eight Indian families were living there m
log houses, among whom are still remembered the names

-Ic may be remarked here that on the survey of the "Twenty Townships "in
1789, the Government made provision for the support of the Gospel and School^,
and required the Surveyor General to mark two lots near the center of each to^n,
of zso\cres each, to be reserved for those purposes. These T°wnsh>ps were ter
wards sold to speculators without the proper reserve bemg made _ The .n.eu ent
and religious emigrants who had taken up farms m those Townships ~ ^ ^^^
and petitioned the Legislature with such energy that an act was pasW app.opu ing
the Canastota Tract to their use for said purposes. The avails have been accord
ingly so used.

5o8 MADISON COUNTY.

of Hon-Yost and John August. On selling their land the
Indians removed, and Capt. Perkins repaired one of their
block-houses which stood on an eminence near where Dr.
Jarvis now lives, built an addition to it and moved in. He
afterwards built a frame house on the same spot, which is
still in use, having been moved across the road by Dr,
Jarvis and converted into a tenant house. Not far from
Capt. Perkins' house stood the cluster of pines from which
it is said Canastota derived its name. The railroad bridge
which spans the creek in the village is the nearest point we
are able to name to the site of this cluster of three pines,
one of which was on one side of the creek, and two opposite
it, on the other ; one of the latter had partly fallen and
lodged in the branches of the others, forming a shady retreat
which became a resort of the natives in the long summer
days, in the closing years of their occupancy.*

It is said that the name " Canastota," is derived from the
Indian word " Kniste," signifying " cluster of pines," and
" Stota,"t meaning "still, silent, motionless," which has yet
greater significance. The lands were low, the stream slug-
gish. To the swamp north of the village, the Indians gave
the name of " Still Waters." Col. Cadwell remarked, (as
given in Judge Barlow's sketch,) " I have many times heard
the Indians bid their dogs be still by saying, 'stota! stota !'
or 'be still! be still !' " Undoubtedly, both ideas, that of
the " cluster of pines " and the " still waters," are intended
to be conveyed in the word " Canastota."

At the period of Capt. Perkins' purchase, no road led
through from the turnpike northward ; there was only a
crooked Indian trail which crossed the big swamp in the

"A cluster of pines stood on the flat, farther down the creek, in the vicinity of
the old saw mill owned by Mr. Hitchcock, west of the creek, by the hickory grove,
which has been named as the cluster of pines referred to in the tradition ; but Mr.
H., himself gives credit to the belief that the three pines uniting across the creek
are the true ones.

_ fFor the greater part of the history of Canastota, the author is indebted to a se-
ries of graphic sketches on the early settlement of this region, published by Judge
Thomas Barlov/, in 1868.

LENOX.

509

direction of Oneida Valley. The above mentioned sketch
relates an interesting adventure of Col. Cadwell, in iSo8.
in traversing this swamp with a yoke of oxen, wagon, and
load of seed potatoes, when he first began his settlement in
the north part of the town. There is also a story of 1809,
touching and sad, of Eli Barnard, Constable and Collector,
(brother of Judge Pardon Barnard,) who, getting lost in the
depths of this great forest, wandered about for many days,
?nd at length laid down in the soft April snow, and died,
where he was found after an anxious search, the ninth day
after his departure from home ; and another thrilling inci-
dent of a boy lost, and found alive on the fifth day.

In 1 8 14, Capt. Perkins sold one hundred acres of his res-
ervation purchase, it being the east part of the present vil-
lage site, to Ephraira Sherman. This passed successively
through the hands of Jason W. Powers, Samuel Halliday,
Barnbort Nellis and Joshua A. Spencer, before it was cut
up tor village purposes. In 1821, Thomas Hitchcock and
Thomas N. Jarvis, from Amenia, Dutchess County, con-
tracted with Capt. Perkins for the remaining tv^^o-thirds of
the Canastota Reservation. Jarvis was a youth, but the
enterprise was a grand one, and greatly for the interest
of his father's family. The purchase price was $8,000. In
April, 1822, the conveyance was made in due form to
Thomas Hitchcock ; and in 1824, by arrangement, the Jar-
vis farm, a part of the Reservation, was conveyed to Milton
Barlow, (brother of Mrs. Lydia Jarvis,) who subsequently
conveyed it to Lancelot Jarvis, the farther of Thomas N.
Jarvis. On the death of the father, it was divided among
the heirs, and since, has been parceled out in village lots.

The springing up of a village at this locality, is due to the
enterprise brought to bear upon this point on the construc-
tion of the Erie Canal. This section of the Canal was laid
through, about 1817. At that period, a noble wheat field
flourished upon the village site, and but four houses modest-
ly graced the landscape. Two of these houses were the res-

- 10 MADISON COUNTY.

idences of Capt. Reuben Perkins and Thomas Menzie, his
son-in-k.vv ; one of the others belonged to James Graham,
which was located where the spacious " Montross House '
now stands ; the fourth was on Peterboro street.

The Canal brought with it a host of men, employers and
employees, and forthwith sprang up taverns, groceries, stores
and shops of various descriptions. James Graham converted
his house into a tavern, and built a small store on the south
side of the canal, on Peterboro street ; the spot is now occu-
pied bv a block of buildings. Mr. Reuben Hawley built
his first store near here, and the Grouses commenced busi-
ness in it in the course of the year 1817. This store now
forms a part of Mr. Reeder's feed store, but it then stood
out on a line with the street. The latter, and his brother
John, carried on a heavy mercantile business here for years.
Capt. Perkins built the house at the corner of Main street
and the Canal, (northeast corner,) for a hotel. He also built
the brick store which stood where the malt house now
stands. There was a brick yard south of it where the brick
was manufactured from which the store was built. Samuel
Halliday built the tavern near the corner of Peterboro and
Cenier streets, now the location of the Center Hotel. About
1 82 1 , Capt. Daniel Lewis built a dwelling house which stands
on the west side of (now) south Main street, north of Mr
Miller's large house, which is now owned by his wife, Mrs.
Miller, daughter of the late John H. Rose. Another land-
mark of the past yet remaining, is the house situated on the
corner of Center and Main streets, which was built by
Thomas Menzie about the same time.

There was a saw mill built at an early day, which was on
the present location of Reeder's grist mill. At a later period
a saw mill was built near where is now located the cabinet
works of Bolster. The brick yard near the brick store,
was a small one, operated first by Mr. Gleason, afterwards
passing through several hands, and was finally given up.
More recently, brick has been made in considerable quanti-

LENOX. * 5 1 I

ties on Mr. Bander's farm, north of the canal. There is a
steam saw mill and planing mill on Main street, built per-
haps fifteen years since, which does a considerable business.
The manufacture of salt was begun here about 1866, from
welis sunk at places northwest of the village.

Canastota has the honor of being the place where the cel-
ebrated Hamilton College Telescope was made, by the firm
of Spencer & Eaton, mathematical instrument makers.
This telescope has a focal length of sixteen feet, with an
object glass of thirteen and one-half inches diameter.
The flint and crown discs for the instrument were imported
from Germany; its cost complete was ^10,000. It is re-
ported to be a very superior telescope, and in workman-
ship is regarded as fully equal to the Munich instruments.
Mr. Charles Spencer, of this firm, is a son of Gen. Ichabod
Spencer, mentioned elsewhere, and is a native of Quality
Hill.

Although there has been considerable enterprise in man-
ufactures, Canastota has been, and is more distinguished as
a mercantile village. From its beginning, the place has
grown steadily. From Judge Barlow's sketches we gather
a statement of the business of the village at the time of his
arrival here in 183 1. There were then three public
houses ; one kept by Joseph C. Spencer, the " Graham
House," where the " Montross House" now stands; the
" Canastota House," now the village bakery, kept by
John B. Youngs ; and one at the west end of the canal
basin, (built by Capt. Perkins,) then, or subsequently kept
by Eliab Joslin. There were three stores in the place ;
that of Messrs. J. & D. Crouse ; Reuben Hawley's at the
east end of the then canal basin, on Peterboro street, and
one kept by Samuel Hitchcock on the west side of the vil-
lage, on Main street, at the present corner of Main and
Lumber streets. Nahum Fay, Elias Palmer, Capt. Robt.
Bishop and Widow Tuttle were grocers. J. C. Spencer
had been in business, but at that time had closed his store.

512

MADISON COUNTY.

A. D. Van Hooser carried on the hatter business in a shop
where the DooKttle Block now is. The village then had a
population of 406. The finest house on Peterboro street
was that built by Dr. Spencer, standing where Col. C. B.
Grouse now (1868,) lives, but was moved off. and is now oc-
cupied bv Allen Hutchinson ; it was then owned and occu-
pied bv Dr. Thomas Spencer. A brick house on ]\Iain
street was built by Samuel Hitchcock, in 1S3 1, for an Acad-
emy or school building ; the upper ston.- was a chapel, and
the jMethodists held meetings there. Where John Mont-
ross' dwelling stands, was a large building called " Tr\ on's
Hall," in which meetings were held, and just east of Morris
Lewis' stood a very long house called the " Town Hall,"
in which public meetings, both secular and religious,
were held. In 1833, the two churches, the " Dutch Re-
formed " a;:d " Methodist," were built.

On account of the low, swampy situation of the land, it
required much labor to render a large portion of the village
plot, fit for streets and building lots Center street was then
several feet below its present bed, and almost impassable
on foot, in spring and fall. Several houses stood on posts
before their owners had filled in their lots. Still the village
progressed, — enlarged its area, increased in population ; in
1835, it was incorporated. In 1840. the Central railroad
gave it a new impetus. In mercantile interests it is now
one of the leading villages of Central Xew York.

Messrs. J. & D, Crouse (^brothers.) may be considered the
leaders and fathers of mercantile business in Canastota.
Their tact, energy and economy insured to them from the
first a steady and rapid prosperity. They commenced in
181 7, in the store of the Hawleys, where they continued
three years, then moved into the building occupied by A.

B. Clark ; afterwards they bought part of the " Boat House,"
had it moyed on the street, and fitted it up as a store at a
cost of about Si, 000. They continued in this store till 1834,
when they went again into the Hawley store and remained

LENOX.

513

till they built the large brick " Crouse Block." In 1853,
the firm of J. & D. Crouse terminated ; John, the elder of
the firm, went to Syracuse and entered upon the wholesale
grocery business ; other members of the family joined in
co-partnership with Daniel ; but in 1863, the latter remov-
ed to Utica and opened there as a wholesale grocer ; and
so the firm in Canastota ceased. Other mercantile firms in
Canastota have been prominent, but being of later date
were not so directly identified with the growth of the place.

Canastota, at present, is increasing in size and beauty ;
new streets are being laid out each year, new houses are be-
ing erected. Southward, fine mansions are frequently ris-
ing, greatly to the beauty of this conspicuous part of the
village. Large, noble looking blocks are occupied as stores,
and artisans in all departments are increasing under the same
roofs. The new " Railroad House " is a conspicuous and no-
ble building. The public Hall (Beecher's,) is pronounced to
be one of the best in the central part of the State. The
" Doolittle Block," also fitted up with a public hall which
would grace any city, is not to be forgotten as among the
first buildings of the place. It was built by Francis Doo-
little in 1869. It is situated a little south and opposite of
the "Beecher Block." Both blocks confer honor upon their
enterprising proprietors. In addition to the manufactures
already mentioned, there are two large carriage shops and
two tanneries, A new Cemetery, laid out south of the vil-
lage, is being beautifully arranged and decorated, and is the
pride of the citizens. A spacious fair ground indicates the
public interest in the " Farmers' and Mechanics' Associa-
tion."

It is due to the memory of Reuben Hawley to say that
he was one of the highest esteemed business men of Can-
astota in its earliest days. He started in business here in
1 8 17, and built a very capacious store for a country village,
on the west side of Peterboro street, south side of the Erie
Canal. The same building has been moved back, and is

G2

514

MADISON COUNTY.

now occupied by Reeder & Son as a grocery and feed store.
It was occupied by the Messrs. Grouse until they built the
laro-e brick block before mentioned. Mr. Hawley also built
a very neat mansion on the east side of Peterboro street, op-
posite his store, in which he resided many years. That
building is now remodeled and forms the store of Brush &
Bell. There was probably no country merchant west of
New York who had the confidence of the New York mer-
chants to a greater extent than Reuben Hawley, His hap-
py spirit and genial way of doing business inspired all with
confiding respect, and he succeeded to a field of business for
a great distance around the country. He finally left Canas-
tota and entered into business in the village of Chittenango,
but soon after died, which is now many years ago. Being
of the first merchants of Canastota, he will ever be identi-
fied with her history. He was the father of the well known
jeweler and business gentleman of Syracuse, Col. Dean
Hawley.

CANASTOTA SALT WORKS.

Almost from the first settlement of this section by the
whites, from indications upon the surface of the earth, and
from the geological fact that wherever there is a strata of
gypsum and limestone rock upon the hills, the valleys con-
tiguous abound in veins or reservoirs of salt water, it has
been generally believed that salt water existed in the vicin-
ity of Canastota of sufficient strength and quantity to be
manufactured with success and profit. About fifty years
ago, salt was made to some extent from the water of a deep
spring dug in the marsh about three-quarters of a mile west
of Canastota, by Capt. Oliver Clark, one of the pioneer set-
tlers. Acting upon these hints a company was formed a
number of years ago at Canastota for the purpose of making
experiments upon the salt water tested by Clark. A well
was sunk in the marsh some 400 feet, but the drilling ma-
chine by some accident was broken and the work was aban-
doned. The water they obtained on the surface was two

LENOX. r I c

and a half degs.by the instrument used, which was increased
by the boring to nine degs. In 1863, a company was again
formed in Canastota, who revived the work* and with such
success as to induce them to prosecute it. The Company
was reorganized in May, 1867, under the general Mining
and Manufacturing laws of the State of New York, with a
capital stock of $100,000 divided into 1,000 shares of ;^ioo
each. The Company contracted with Daniel Lewis for fifty
acres of salt territory, located a little west of the village
along the Erie Canal, and commenced operations which
promise to be successful to those engaged in it.

PROMINENT MEN.

Capt. Reuben Perkins came from Connecticut to this
State, and first located on Oak Hill, where he built a house
and lived until he made his famous purchase of the Canas-
tota Reservation. He was an active business man through
life, having engaged in various enterprises pertaining to the
progress of the village. He was appointed first Superin-
tendent on this section of the Erie Canal. He sold the
fine estate he acquired by his purchase of the Canastota
lands, before the village began to increase materially, and by
misfortunes and the unsuccessful and unwise use of his
money, became poor. Some of the earlier landmarks of
Canastota attest his enterprise, and many of the inhabitants
remember him in his better days, when prosperity shone
upon him, as an active, genial and generous man. He was
a patriot soldier of the Revolution. He was twice married,
having seven children by his first wife, five of them daugh-
ters. One daughter married Capt. Wm. Jennings ; another,
Thomas Menzie ; a third, Warren Colton, and a fourth,
George B. Rowe. The two sons, Reuben and Calvin, and
all these daughters, have passed away, leaving no represen-
tative to perpetuate the name. Capt, Perkins survived to
his ninety-fourth year, when he too passed away, having

*Daniel Grouse, D. H. Rasbach and James H. Woodford, were of the first
committee.

ri5 MADISON COUNTY.

been for years oblivious to all around, through the loss of all
mental power.

John Montross. — Extract from his obituary notice pub-
lished in the Canastota Herald : —

" Died, March 26, 1869, \rr John Montross, aged 58 years
and 7 days. Mr. Montross may be classed with the old or
early inhabitants of this place, and among our most influential
and' prosperous citizens. He came here over thirty-years ago.
In his early life he was dependent upon his own efforts and
merits for his success, and at an early day gained the good will
and confidence of all who became acquainted with him. His
life has been marked for its industry and economy, which was
capital superior to money itself, as an encouragement in the
world. * * * His prompt and faithful way of doing busi-
ness, and frankness in matters of opinion, gave him a good
name far and near, and whilst his friends were vastly numerous,
he had but few if any enemies. At an early day he attained to a
popularity which secured to him various official trusts from the
people of his town, and he showed a business tact, coupled with
integrity, which made him an excellent and approved officer in
every position conferred upon him. He was always a man of
praise-worthy public enterprise, and in the dutys imposed on him
in the affairs of our village, he was always for those improve-
ments promising the growth and prosperity of "the place. He
was one of the first and most active in starting and securing
the project of the Cazenovia and Canastota railroad, and on all
occasions of meetings, near or far distant from home, he did
not allow bad weather or traveling to prevent his attendance.
At no time did he allow unfavorable circumstances to discourage
him or dampen his ardor. He was a continous, uncompromis-
ing advocate of the work, and flattered himself that at a day
not far distant, he would see the trains running and doing a
prosperous business over the southern hills to the village of
Cazenovia. His industry and energy carried him from his early
want to a fine estate, and he lived to see a day of ease and
plenty, yet died in the prina<e and full power of manhood."

He reared a family of sons to adult age, leaving three to
mourn the loss of his wise counsel and careful guidance, a wife,
an ever kind and affectionate husband, and an aged mother, the
supporting arm of a dutiful son. Another writer speaks of Mr.
Montross : — "His name was identified with every enterprise
which has tended to the growth and prosperity of this locality."
Maj. Gen. Ichabod Smith Spencer was the oldest of
of four brothers, all of whom were men of ability and mark
in this section. The General being the eldest, and there-

LENOX.

517

fore the earliest upon the stage, was the power that raised
to prominence in professional life all of his brothers ; for as
soon as he became able in his own profession, he took them,
as it were, upon his shoulders, and carried them along in
their studies and into their professions, they aiding them-
selves what they could by school teaching.

General Spencer was born in Suffield, Conn., July 11,
1780 ; and the year succeeding his birth his parents moved
to Great Barrington, Mass., where the rest of their family
of children were born. The General was married in 1801,
and removed to th-e county of Madison, N. Y., in 1802,
where he continued to reside till the time of his death.

He was a student of law, under Hathaway & Sherman,
Esqs., Rome, and entered the profession and practice of
law in 1808. One who was well acquainted with his re-
markable powers of mind, thus writes : —

" Mr. Spencer passed with rapid strides, by the energy and
activity of his own powers, to a distinguished prominence in the
profession. The science of pleading was then intricate, techni-
cal and refined, and he soon took place among the first and
foremost as one of the safest and best special pleaders in our
State. As a Chancery pleader, we may say there was none be-
fore him. His power of discrimination was great, and no man
would discover a legal point, and give it prominence and weight,
in pleading or brief, before him. His mind would run through
a case with astonishing rapidity, and no point would escape his
notice, or fail of receiving the consideration due to its import-
ance. * * *

It was not for the legal profession alone that he was pre-emi-
nently qualified. There were elements also in him equally well
befitting the military character. In 1813, during our war with
England, he was ordered into the service of the United States
as Adjutant, under the command of Col. Button and Brig.-Gen.
Collins, and marched to the frontier at and near Sackett's Har-
bor. His services on the frontier were necessarily short. He
returned home in 1814 ; and the discharge of his military duties
were so honorable that a train of promotions was soon opened
before him. In that year (18 14,) he was promoted to the office
of Captain, and very soon after to that of Colonel of the 74th
Regiment of Infantry, and a few years later to Brig.-Gen. of the
35th Brigade, comprising the counties of Chenango and Madi-
son. This office he held undl 1847, when he resigned it.

5i8

MADISON COUNTY.

And whilst he was thus so well calculated for the profession
of law and for military life, he was most happily calculated for
the social circle. His very nature was social, mingled with that
hio-h sense of manly reserve which made him both a standard
and a favorite. As a neighbor, he was all that could make him
a friend to the needy or suffering, and no man was more ready
or willing to favor or befriend. And it is here that society has
experienced the loss. A friend, a neighbor, has gone, no more
to mingle his sympathies, or'extend his helping hand."

Hon. Joshua A. Spencer, the celebrated lawyer and
advocate, was one of these brothers. He distinguished
himself especially upon one occasion — in his defense of
McLeod in i84i,soon after the close of the "Patriot War,"
so called, of 1836 and '37. McLeod, a Canadian citizen,
came over the border on our Canada frontier at Schlosser,
near Niagara Falls, and in a raid with the men of his com-
mand, committed a murder, for which he was indicted and
tried at Utica. Mr. Spencer defended him, setting up as
the principal ground of defence that it was a state of war
between nations at the time of the killing ; that McLeod
was acting in the defense of his government, and was not
individually answerable. The trial lasted many days and
was one of much excitement. Spencer succeeded, and as
a reward for his services the British Government gave hira
a thousand pounds sterling, being $5,000.

Rev. Eliphalet Spencer, another brother, became a
prominent minister of the Presbyterian order ; and Dr.
Thomas Spencer, the fourth and we believe the youngest
brother, became a prominent physician, and held various
professorships in medical institutions. All, as we have
seen, attained to signal prominence in life, and all were self-
made men. Not one of them is living at the date of this
record.

Joseph Bruce was born in Roxbury, Mass., January i,
1 78 1. His father, a native of Scotland, came to America in
childhood with his parents, and in maturity became one of
the daring patriots of the "Boston Tea Party."

In his childhood, Joseph Bruce came with his mother,

LENOX.

519

(then a widow,) to New Hartford, Oneida Co., and there
remained till he was eighteen years of age. In early youth
he acquired habits of industry and self reliance, preparing
him for an after life of success.

Soon after his marriage with a dayghter of John D.
Nellis, of Whitestown, he settled in Lenox, in 18 10, on
Quality Hill, where he resided more than three score years.
Here he became engaged in mercantile pursuits in co-
partnership with Dr. Nathaniel Hall, and through life the
two were warm friends. He also became identified with
the most important public affairs of the locality, from the
first. In the war of 18 12, in a company of Light Artillery
of which Wm. Jennings was Captain, Mr. Bruce was
appointed Lieutenant, and marched to Sackett's Harbor with
his command. His Captain being sick, he had charge of
the Company during their time of service. Joshua Spencer
was an Orderly in the same Company, and he and Mr. Bruce
were life-long friends. After the wa-r, being a leading spirit
in the old military organizations, he was commissioned
Captain and then Major, and by the latter title was known
through life.

Mr. Bruce was a Magistrate for many years ; was Post-
master for a long period, and filled many other positions
with honor. One who knew him well, wrote : "His life was
characterized by those virtues which win confidence and
esteem, and whether in public or private life, he held to
principles which were a bulwark against even the app.oach
of suspicion." He was always a consistent and an active
Christian, and helped to build up and sustain the old Con-
gregational Church of Quality Hill. As a business man
he was energetic and upright, possessing qualities which
fitted him for almost any position. He became a stock-
holder in several banking institutions, among which was the
Mechanics Bank of Syracuse, and the Bank of Whitestown,
and was an efficient President of the bank last named for a
number of years.

520 MADISON COUNTY.

Toward the close of his hfe he turned his attention to
farming more than he had hitherto done. His fine farm on
Quahty Hill, and those of his sons, adjacent, attest the
care and skill bestowed, and evince an unusual relish for
rural occupations, characteristic of father and sons.

He was too frank and outspoken for a successful politician,
and was never fond of the political arena. Socially he was
a man of warm and constant friendship, kind and generous
to the deserving and affectionate in his family.

Joseph Bruce, Esq., died at his residence in Lenox, Jan,
27, 1872, aged eighty-three years. He came down to his
grave " like as a shock of corn cometh in his season."
His aged companion to whom he had been wedded three
score years, survived him a few months. "Died, in Lenox,
August 9, 1872, Maria, relict of the late Joseph Bruce,
aged eighty years." (Note n)

From a newspaper published at the time of the death of
Hezekiah Beecher, one of the prominent citizens of Canas-
tota, the subjoined is taken :

"Hezekiah Beecher, the subject of this sketch, died in Can-
astota, on the 8th of November, inst, (1870,) aged nearly 76
years. Hezekiah Beecher, was born in Bethany, New Haven
county, Conn., Dec. 28, 1794, and had he lived until next month,
28th, he would have been 76 years old. He came into this town
of Lenox, Madison county, on the 15th day of April, 1816, on
which day he was married, and settled down in business life on
Quality Hill.

He carried on the tanning and leather business there, and
continued residing there sixteen years, when he moved to Can-
astota, where he resided until his death. Thus it will be seen
that he was one of the first, and lived to be one of the oldest of
our inhabitants, whilst it may most truly be said, one of the most
upright and esteemed of our citizens. His industry and economy
were proverbial. * * *

His moral virtues were such as to render him the choice of the
people of his town, for various places of trust in their gift, even
when he was politically in the minority. He had been under-
sheriff of the county, constable and collector for many years, and
was promoted to the office of justice of the peace, which he held
for numerous terms of four years each.

His mquiring mind and discriminating judgment were such,

LENOX.

521

that from his experience in official and judicial duties, that he be-
came so conversant with the principles and practice of law, that
many years ago he was licensed to practice the profession ex
grada, without pursuing a clerkship of studies. Though quiet,
unassuming and retiring of habit and nature, he is greatly
missed. The poor, the sick and suffering, needing a sympathizer
and friend, have experienced a loss.

Capt. Daniel Lewis* was one of the earliest settlers of
the flats. He was born in Washington County, in 1798.
When a small boy he came on with his father, Eleazer
Lewis, to the town of Augusta, Oneida County ; from there
the family removed to Vernon, and from there to Oneida
Castle, where they lived in the block house with the half
breed, Lewis Denny. Eleazer Lewis worked Denny's farm
on shares. From here he moved to Quality Hill, in 1806,
and lived two years. He then purchased Lot 78, of the
Canastota Tract, and a piece of Lot 82, and moved into a log
house situated where Col. Lamb now lives. His farm was
all woods, with no road leading to it. Daniel's youth was
spent here, receiving his education in the district school of
Canastota, which was first taught by Dea. Cadwell, in an
Indian log hut just west of the present residence of Dr. Jar-
vis. His best education was gained in the stern school of
necessity, where was formed those habits of industry, pa-
tience, perseverance, economy, integrity and straight-for-
wardness, elements which comprise a most worthy and use-
ful character. He early became dependent on his own ex-
ertions and soon learned to surmount difficulties on the way
to prosperity. His first venture was to purchase a village
lot of Reuben Perkins, for which he paid ^250. This was
considered in that day a bold move for a poor young man !
By hard working by the day or job, he soon reahzed a suffi-
cient sum to build. His enterprise and industry soon won
him credit and a place in public favor, for when he was
found to execute all trusts committed to his care with un-
tiring industry and devoted faithfulness, he was given, first,

*Much of the story of Capt. Lewis' life is from Judge Barlow's sketches, pub-
lished in the Canastota Herald in 1868.

522

MADISON COUNTY.

a place as foreman on the canal works, and soon gradually
arose from that up to Superintendent of the Division. It is
said the State never had any one in the charge of public
works of more untiring vigilance than Capt. Daniel Lewis.
No barrier, no weather, hot or cold, rain or snow, wind, mud,
darkness or tempest, would deter him from duty or cause
him to relax the care which was essential to the protection
of the canal. Often in the severest storm he was on duty,
lantern in hand, examining the banks of the canal ; in case
it was necessary, the midnight found him and his squad of
men out at work. Ten, twelve and more miles were thus
traversed at any and all hours by this trusty servant, re-
gardless of health, strength or life. For seventeen years he
was thus employed, when he passed on to higher trusts
confided to him by the " Syracuse & Utica Railroad Com-
pany," by whom he was employed as Dept. Superin-
tendent. Next he occupied a corresponding position on the
Hudson River Railroad. He was ten years employed in
this capacity, ending with the year 1850.

His surplus earnings in youth he invested in real estate
making his second investment in the purchase of a farm of
one hundred acres, of Samuel Halliday. Following in care-
ful steps, from one round of the ladder of fortune to another,
and never faltering in the practice of industry, fidelity and
economy, prosperity crowned his efforts and blessed the
riper years of his exemplary and successful life.

Up to the time of his last brief illness, he was in the pos-
session of good physical and mental powers. His home
was near the M. E. Church, which he adorned with his mu-
nificence and beautified with his fine taste. A few years
since, he caused a beautiful triangular park to be laid out,
in the space afforded by the corners of the roads, nearly in
front of the church. In a laudable spirit of enterprise and
generosity, he, at his own cost, covered it with trees and
evergreens, and surrounded it with a post and chain fence,
thus securing it against all encroachments.

LENOX, 523

Capt. Lewis spent his closing years in the quiet pursuit
of farming and in the enjoyment of domestic hfe. His first
wife was Miss Lorana Perkins, daughter of Benjamin Per-
kins, whom he married in Broome County. After her de-
cease, he married Miss Carrie A. Way, of New Haven, Con-
necticut.

Daniel Lewis died at his residence in Casastota, Feb. 23,
1872, aged seventy-five years. He left a widow and two
daughters to mourn the loss of an affectionate father and
husband.

ONEIDA VILLAGE.

This place was named "Oneida Depot," in the beginning.
June 20, 1848, it was incorporated under the name of
" Oneida Village." Its origin is due to the enterprise
awakened by the passage of the Syracuse and Utica Rail-
road through its locality. The lands, including its site, to
the amount of several hundred acres, were owned by Mr.
Sands Higinbotham, who, in 1829 and again in 1830, made
purchases here. That of 1829, was purchased of indi-
viduals ; that of 1830, from the State of New York. In the
autumn of 1834, Mr. Higinbotham removed here from Ver-
non, where he had long been a merchant, and located his
residence on the south side of the present village. That
part of his estate, and also the valley lands, were cleared.
In 1837, the Syracuse and Utica Railroad Company located
their railroad across his farm and made one of their impor-
tant stations there, naming it " Oneida Depot," from the
contiguity of the " Castle," and the time-honored name de-
signating this section of country. The forest was cut
through to make place for the track, and in the spring ol
1839, the woods were cleared away to make space for the
erection of the hotel called the " Railroad House ;" — the
same Railroad House of to-day, near the track of the Cen-
tral* The opening excursion on this road, made on the

*Ic will be remembered that railroad communication through New York State,
as far as it went at that day, wa= effected by connecting the tracks of the several
Companies having sections of road in operation. (See page 134.J

524

MADISON COUNTY.

4th of July, 1839, was a great day for this section of coun-
try. The old woods of Oneida had never before, even in
the days of the Indian war whoop, been so startled from
their quiet. The day, its impressions, the gay, wild scene,
will not be forgotten by those who participated in its two-
fold rejoicings. In all the coming years, a 4th of July sun
may not again look upon the like in this section ; the heavy
forest all around, the new cut stumps, the white logs
stripped of their bark lying prone near by, the piles of
brush, the broken earth, the freshness of everything bear-
ing foliage ; — and then the great crowd of humanity, and
the long train of old fashioned railway coaches which slow-
ly and carefully bore away their freight of adventurous ex-
cursionists. Among the latter were a few — a ve^y few — of
the remnant of red men remaining here, of the once numer-
ous and powerful Oneida Nation. Fancy could read sad-
ness in their faces at this last inroad of a scarcely under-
stood civilization upon the domain of their ancestors and
their own homes. If, with the transcient and soon gratified
feeling of curiosity, they were, in the main, mourners upon
the scene, it need be no marvel.

The Railroad House was built by Mr. Higinbotham ; its
first landlord was Henry Y. Stewart. Mr. Higinbotham
began selling lots this year. The first dwelling was built
by Charles R. Stewart, on the site where the " Coe Block "
now is. The same house is now used as a dwelling on
Broad street. The store oi S. H. Goodwin & Co. was the
first store of importance in Oneida, and gave character to
the mercantile business of the place. Mr. Goodwin started
in May, 1 844, his first business place being a wooden struc-
ture on the site of his present store, on Madison street. It
was burned in 1862, and rebuilt of brick the same year.
The first telegraph office — the " Western Union " — was
established in 1S46, under the care of I. N. Messenger ; it
was so entirely an experiment, that to secure it, a guarantee
of a certain income for the first year, was entered into by

LENOX.

525

seven of the citizens. Thereafter, however, it was a suc-
cess upon its own merits. Twenty-one years ago, the only
block of importance in Oneida was the brick "Empire
Block," which was considered the building of the town. It
was built by Asa Smith, tanner and currier, boot and shoe
maker, and also post master. He is now a resident of Roch-
ester. Taking a view down Main street, south, the business
blocks on the wert side, with their original proprietors and
present occupants, may be noticed as follows : — The block
next the " Empire," where Charles I. Walrath is located,
was built by James A. Bennett in connection v>^ith Charles
and Joseph Walrath ; Albert E. Coe built the block adjoin-
ing Walrath on the south ; next is the " Devereaux Block,"
built by Horace Devereaux, its present owner ; then the
" Merchants Exchange," built by Timothy G. Seeley ; next
the " Walrath Block," built more recently by D. & C. H.
Walrath ; then the " Oneida Valley National Bank," and
the " First National Bank;" next, the block occupied by
Barker & Randall, in which is the hall of the " Good Temp-
lars," and built by Loomis & Atherly. Crossing now and
coming north on the east side, first is the block now owned
by Wm. Lyle, built by C. & D. Walrath ; next to this is
the Patrick Devereaux block, which he built ; E. H. Curtis
erected the next building, and that in which Mrs. R. O.
Coe keeps a millinery store, was built by a Mr. Williams.
The jewelry store of Chapin & Sons was built by Samuel
Chapin, The east side, thus far, has been built up within
ten years. Continuing on north, is Cleveland's drug store,
built by Hollis Mannering ; the building occupied by Chase
& Chappel was erected by Ephraim Beck, and is now owned
by Dr. J. W. Fitch ; the corner block, in which is " Masonic
Hall," was built by Newcomb and Charles Fields ; the
" Gen. Messenger Block," at the north corner of Phelps
street, was built by Gen. Messenger, who owned all the
buildings between Phelps and Madison streets, on the east
side ol Main, except the National Hotel, which was built by
Frank Gleason.

MADISON COUXTV.

The Eagle Hotel was built by Nelson and Ira Morris.
By the side ot this hotel, John W. Allen built a large store
house, which was occupied by Hill, Allen & Co. This has
been merged into the present spacious Eagle Hotel.

On the north side of Madison street, before 1862, there
was the dry goods store of S. H. Goodwin, the drug store of
R. I. Stewart, the cabinet ware rooms of Jones & Hulburt,
and the large building of R. X. Van Evra, used for numer-
ous shops, and which, with several others, was swept away
by a destructive fire in August, 1S62. All the north side
of this street, between Main and William streets, except the
residence of T. C. Thompson, was destroyed. i\Ir. Good-
win rebuilt the same year, and recently the burnt district
has again been built up. On the south side of Madison
street, Grove Stoddard built the store now kept as a cloth-
ing store. The " Kenyon block " was formerly the store
of Theodore C. Thompson and Sidney Rivenburg — then a
wooden structure.

The " Bacon Hotel " was formerly the residence of Pie-
man H. Phelps, at the time. Superintendent of the Utica &
Syracuse Railroad. Mr. Bacon purchased it and converted
it into the present hotel. " Northrup's Hotel " was one of
the early public houses and was kept by Blodgett. This
house changed hands several times before it came into Mr.
Northrup's possession.

To improve the condition of the village, the trustees
passed the following resolution at a meeting held Oct. 11,
1869:

Resol. ed. That the erection of wooden buildings within the
following limits in this village is hereby prohibited, viz : On
Madison street, from west line of William street to Main street.
Also, on Main street, from north side of Mulberrs' street to Mad-
ison street, and N. Y. C. R. R.

We sum up the general status of Oneida as last noted by
us in the summer of 1871. At that date, the population
within the corporation was about 4.000. There were nine
dry goous stores, as follows : Randall & Barker, C. A. &

LENOX. 527

D. H. Walrath, W. H. Dimmick, A. E. Coe & Son, S.
& E. Kenyon, John E. Stone, T. C. Thompson, P. C.
Lawrence and S. H. Goodwin & Son. There were also
eight grocery stores, viz : Carter Bros., Douglass & Down-
ing, David Walter, Harry Walter & Co., Stone & Schuyler,
A. Hill & Son, and Matthewson & Rivenburg. Also, there
were the two hardware stores of Farnam & Son, and A. R.
Turner ; five or six boot and shoe stores and several shops
for custom work ; several clothing, and hat and cap stores ;
a number of millinery and furnishing stores and shops ;
three watch and jewelry establishments ; two bakeries; four
meat markets ; an extensive sash and blind factory and sev-
eral lumber yards.* There were five hotels and a num-
ber of restaurants. We may note that the chief hotels
were kept by C. Bacon, Fred. Allen and P. R. Miner.
There were six religious societies, the Presbyterian, Baptist,
Methodist, Episcopal, Catholic and Universalist, all having
houses of worship except the last named, which used Dev-
ereaux Hall. The corporation included two commodious,
brick, common school houses, and the Oneida Seminary un-
der the charge of the Presbyterian Synod. There were two
national banks, and we believe two private banks.

There are, in all, about ten lawyers in the village ; also,
several physicians of each of the popular "schools." There
are two unusually well supported weekly newspapers pub-
lished here, the " Oneida Dispatch " and the " Democratic
Union," both large, well conducted sheets, giving full re-
ports of local news from all parts of the County ; also, two
and a half miles out, at the Oneida Community, the " Oneida
Circular," weekly, is published ; less in size than the village
papers, but full of advanced ideas and information pertain-
ino; to their own agricultural, horticultural and manufactur-

*The tannery of George Berry was one of the most thriving firms of Oneida. It
was built in 1857 at a cost of 87,000. Important additions were made in the way
of machinery, and otherwise, at considerable cost. In 1871 it was_^ destroyed by (ire.
At the time there was stock in the tannery to the amc.unt of 89,000, and Mr.
Berry's loss was about 87,000 above the insurance of l?9,coo.

528 MADISON COUNTY.

ing enterprises. The Main streets of Oneida village are
lio-htedby gas. The corporations of Oneida Castle, Oneida
and Durhamville, are in a nearly straight line north and
south, and adjoin.

Thus far have we gleaned in reference to the building up
of the business portion of Oneida village. The limits of
this work will not permit an enumeration of further enter-
pi ises which are flourishing within the limits of this rapidly
growing town, enterprises which are making their mark, ac-
cumulating wealth, extending the village borders in all di-
rections and establishing the foundations of a city.

SANDS HIGINBOTHAM.

We should not pass without further notice, the name of

one who has contributed largely to the prosperity of Oneida ;

who has been identified with its chief enterprises ; whose

fatherly care has been extended over all its interests. We,

therefore, append the following extract from the " Oneida

Dispatch," published on the death of the individual to whom

we refer, under date of Sept. i8, 1868 :

'■'■The Late Sands Higinbotham. — To the many friends of the
late Sands Higinbotham it will be a satisfaction to recall, or to
learn, some of the principal incidents of his life. He was born
in March, 1790, in the County of Rensselaer, in this State, and
a few years afterward removed with his parents to Central New
York. In his youth he went to Utica (at that time a small vd-
lage,) to reside in the family of his half brother, the first Watts
Sherman, who was several years his senior. He spent the pe-
riod of his residence there ; first as an attendant of one of the
schools, and then as a clerk in the store of Mr. Sherman ; and
some are now living in Utica, who still have pleasant memories
of him in those days of his boyhood and youth. From Utica, in
the year 1810, when he was twenty years of age, he went to Ver-
non to reside, and there commenced business for himself as a
merchant. During his twenty-four years' residence in Vernon,
he was known as an honorable and prosperous merchant, and as
a wise and conscientious man, whom all esteemed. During this
time, also, he became acquainted quite extensively wdth the
leading minds, not only of his own County of Oneida^ but of the
State ; and in many instances the friendships then formed were
severed only by death. Many men now living will remember

LENOX.

529

him at this portion of his life, with the greatest respect and af-
fection. About the year 1830, he purchased several hundred
acres of land where now is located the embryo city of Oneida,
and in the autumn of 1834, he took up his residence upon
it. In 1837, the Syracuse and Utica Railroad Com-
pany located their railroad across his farm, and made one
of their important stations there. In July, 1839, the cars com-
menced to run ; and from that date, under the fostering care of
Mr. Higinbotham, the village of Oneida has steadily grown and
improved, from year to year, without drawback or change, ex-
cept to a greater and more rapid improvement as time went on.
Here, in the last thirty-four years, (a generation in itself,) the
crowning work of his life was done. His strict integrity, his
sound sense, his genial spirit, his large heart, were elements of
attraction which drew around him a circle, not only of citizens
and business men, but oi friends. Religion, good morals, edu-
cation, all received the fullest aid in his power to give ; and
everything that was of interest to Oneida, also interested him.
As his reward, he has lived to see his cherished home become
one of the most thriving and beautiful villages of Central New
York. Although always feeling an earnest interest in the pol-
itics of the country, and in his early years taking an active part
in the movements of parties, he yet constantly and steadily re-
fused to accept any political office or nomination. He was,
however, a Trustee of Hamilton College for the last thirty years
of his life, and until very recently continued his regular attend-
ance at all meetings of the Board, giving them the benefit of his
ripe counsel and great experience. For the last two years his
growing infirmities made it necessary for him to retire from ac-
tive labor ; and now, in the evening of his busy life, his work be-
ing done, he has peacefully gone to his rest ; the honored patri-
arch, the much loved husband, father, neighbor, friend."

We also append the following notice of another citizen,
some years since deceased, (Sept., 1866,) who was also dis-
tinguished and useful.

"Death of Gen. J. M. Messenger.— It is with the deepest
sorrow we find ourselves called upon to record the death of one
of our most prominent and respectable citizens. Gen. John M.
Messenger, who died at his residence in this village, on the af-
ternoon of Tuesday last. * * * Gen. Messenger was widely
known, having for a long period taken an active part in the
political, as well as other matters of Madison county. Originally
from Massachusetts, in 1808, we believe, he came to the town of
Smithfield, where he lived for a number of years, afterwards re-
moving to Lenox. As already remarked, he sustained a prom-

H2

530

MADISON COUNTY.

inent position, owing not only to natural ability and practical
judgment, but also sharing, in a large degree, that force of char-
acter and indomitable will that always gave him marked influ-
ence in society. Holding several important offices of trust,
among which were those of Sheriff and representative to the
Leo-islature, he proved himself honorable in discharging all the
duties pertaining thereto. * * * As a citizen, always interested
in the growth and welfare of our village, as a neighbor, kind and
obliging, as a man, upright and respected, his loss will be deeply
felt. His last hours were made peaceful and happy by leaning
for support upon the arm of his Redeemer, and his eyes closed
in death with hardly a struggle. The funeral services were at-
tended on Thursday afternoon, from his late residence, by a
large number of sorrowing relatives and friends."

LAW FIRMS OF ONEIDA.

I. N. Messenger opened the first law office in this village
in 1848. He was a graduate of Hamilton College in the
class of 1839, and soon after entered into the study of law.
He was admitted to the bar in 1843, under the old Chan-
cery practice. On being established in Oneida, Mr. Mes-
senger associated with himself J. C. Sloan, as partner. Soon
after, Mr. Sloan and M. J. Shoecraft formed a co-partner-
ship. Delos W. Thompson was the next to open an office.
Afterwards John Snow* came and became a partner with
Mr. Shoecraft, and Mr. Sloan went to Janesville, Wiscon-
sin. In Nov., 1863, Jas. B. Jenkins, former associate of H.
T. Jenkins, District Attorney, of Oneida County, came to
Oneida and entered into co-partnership with I. N. Messen-
ger. He had been a law student with Hon. Timothy Jen-
kins, (whose reputation as an eminent lawyer was not lim-
ited to this State alone,) and was admitted to practice in all
the courts of the State, at the July term of the Supreme
Court of 185 1. He had practiced law some years at Oneida
Castle, and previous to his establishment in Oneida, had been
four years assistant District Attorney of Oneida County.
The firm of Messenger & Jenkins has continued to the pres-
ent time (1872). Soon after Messenger & Jenkins became
established, Gen. Z. T. Bentley and W. W. Goodell came

* Siace deceased.

LENOX. e o J

and opened offices. Both of these talented lawyers are now-
deceased — Gen. Bentley in 1870, and Mr. Goodell in 1871.
Josiah E. Ferry and Clarence Carskadden have opened law
offices at a more recent date, and are still in practice • and
John C. Kennedy, Esq., late law partner of W. W. Goodell,
deceased, is also now practicing here.

The Oneida Valley Bank commenced business in 185 1,
imder the General Banking Laws of the State of New
York. N. Higinbotham, Banker and President ; Samuel
Breese, Vice-President ; T. F. Hand, Cashier. In the
following year, (1852,) its capital was increased to ^105,000,
as an association, under the same laws and with the same
officers. In 1865, in common with all the old State Banks,
it was changed to a National Bank under the name of " The
Oneida Valley National Bank of Oneida," without change
of capital or officers. It will be remarked that now, after
twenty years of prosperity, the same officers who started
with it in 185 1, still continue its management.

" The First National Bank of Oneida" was organized
October i, 1864, with a capital of ^125,000. Its first
Directors, were : — Horace Devereaux, James J. Stewart,
Samuel H. Fox, Franklin M. Whitman, James A. Bennett,
Ambrose Hill, Simeon B. Armour, Stillman Spooner, Alvin
Strong, Zadoc T. Bentley and Christopher A. Walrath.
First Officers, were : — Horace Devereaux, President ; Jas. J.
Stewart, Vice-President ; Virgil Bull, Cashier.

Present Officers : James J. Stewart, President ; Samuel
H. Fox, Vice-President ; Virgil Bull, Cashier. Alvin
Strong and Zadoc T. Bentley, among the original Directors,
are deceased ; they are succe"bded by DeWitt C. Stephens
and W. H. Bennett. Stillman Spooner is succeeded by
Virgil Bull, as Director, and Horace Devereaux by Andrew
J. Frost. The capital of this Bank remains the same as at
the beginning. A surplus fund of about ^30,000, has
been set aside out of the earnings since it commenced.

i;^2 MABISOX COUXTT,

iS5& First Traiii^e^es : — Jaraes Barneit. Peterb^ro ; Ralj^
H, AveT>\ v~ ^ ' ' v

G, DcstTscace, Oa^da CasJte ; Gksa. H, Sandfcff-d, Va«c!a .
S,\:irjel BTt:e>ae, L X, Messi ' :>es A ■ T,F,

HAiid,E>C Saiinaers, Ge. ... . . :y, G, V ^ . T G.

Se^ev, Anibrv^Sie Hill ami Mi:r<>n Baruett, C

Firs: Oiti^cr*; : — D,',:'!ie: GP ^ ^^,

S,V4iJford A^.vi Gvxxivdn 1\ Si>p«.\. , v. . .> :> . :\.„,n

chc»sea AttxMiK'y, The Ba:!ik commeaced b^jsiness A

1:^65. It? "-^^ -^^^ ■ -"-^ ^-^- '■ -^ ' '^- . i

$^i6^t5i>^^. . ^ -;"

as in the be^nmi^, with the esroq^aftoa ot the siabs: . :
o3 J, X, A -. R C Samv^er^ as V ^ s

James Bar - . J, Fcwte ar>d J^^n^es A - , e

also retired by resiir^'i^ticvTu aaid Timoiby G, SeeJev^ place
h^^ " :~es c»f :^ - ■ - r

n^v .. ._ . r X. _ . . ,.Aasto^ A/-., , .. AC^

J, Stewan, J, N«ewdl Averv *»d S K^ayon* of Osxeid*.
The R^Tsking: . Barr>ess Siai^ ^ MiiTJTx>e~ a

jviivate i;v5dtatic«i >c,. iSji. The Central Bank, als<>

a priwite baak, was opened in iS^i, by Ja&. D, KHhiim,
Presivieiit, aijd W. E, NiwtiiTaps Cashkr,

This Serainmy was o; -^ . . . :he ein:ierpn$e of » ^xir

i-^.div^.daals. It was iiievvrncvrsTed Juh\ 1^57, and sschccV.
cyciie^l ii\ > . year, Planr.ei <.>n a 3^^;>s:

ai te;vied with large esc^. >, It hss h ;>tri-vc

pro\xvi itsielf ti> ha\^ beea» aji exceik»t
ire ■"■ : -':-^ ~- -" -r--'^ -> Rev,G, i^ ^^^

F - xev. J, IX : has

n^aac 1:5! impress and matk Joe ^iX>d ispon the c
aroviand it Rev. T. D. Ho>5i^htoa leslgtied at the c . <c -

LENOX.

533

the Seminary term in 1872, having been principal for the
past three years. The school is under the care of the Pres-
byterian Synod of Utica. The seminary, with its proposed
endowmentof $50,000 will enter upon the coming year with
renewed vigor. Oneida Seminary is pleasantly located in
the south part of the village ; its buildings are handsome,
convenient and elegantly furnished, its grounds cheerful
and laid out with taste, presenting, on the whole, an appear-
ance not surpassed by any school of the kind in Madison
County.

Masonic. — Oneida Lodge, No. 270, of Free Masons, was
organized in 185 1. Its charter is dated June 22, 1852, and
is executed by Nelson Randall, Grand Master ; Joseph D.
Evans, Deputy Grand Master ; Dan. S. Wright, S. G. War-
den ; Jarvis M. Hatch, J. G. Warden, and James W. Powell,
G. Secretary. Its first officers were : Lucius Brooks, W.
M. ; George W. Harp, S. W. ; Daniel Y. Lipe, J. W. ; Lu-
cius Brooks was W. M. for three years, George Harp four
years. Nelson Morris one year, and Alonzo E. Cherry held
the same office from 1859 to 1869, with the exception of the
year 1864, when Horatio Lewis filled that position. In
1870, O. M. Randall was W. M. ; in 1871, Orrin Collins.
The lodge has 140 members and may be considered a flour-
ishing branch of the Order.

Doric Chapter, R. A. M., was organized in 1867, A. E.
Cherry, M. E. H. P. A. R. McKenzie held that office in
1868 and 1869, and A. E. Cherry again in 1870 and 1871.

Odd Fellows. — A Lodge of the I. O. O. F. had an exist-
ence here from 1853 to 1857. It has recently been reor-
ganized.

Good Templars. — Oneida Chief Lodge, I. O. of G. T., was
organized in Oneida Village in October, 1866. Its first W.
C. T. was William Snook. It is yet a flourishing and suc-
cessful society. The P. G. W. C. T. of the State, Rev.
Silas Ball, resides here (1871).

534 MADISON COUNTY.

Good Samaritans and Daughters of Samaria. — There is
also a Lodge of this Order here, which was organized in
February, 1871. First W. C, James B. Jenkins.*

Fire Companies. — The village has three fire companies ;
Protection No. i, Protection No. 2, and Hook and Ladder
Company.

ONEIDA COMMUNITY

Is located on Oneida Creek, in the town of Lenox, Madison
County, and Vernon, Oneida County. The dwellings and
the principal firm buildings are in Lenox ; its two largest
manufacturing establishments and a large proportion of the
land is in Vernon. It is situated about four miles southerly
from Oneida Village. The Midland Railroad crosses their
land and has a depot at this point. John H. Noyes founded
this Community in 1848. It now numbers about two hund-
red members. There are also two branches ; one located at
Wallingford, Conn., where there are forty members, and
another at Willow Place, located on a detached portion of
the domain, one and a quarter miles from the main family,
where there are thirty-five living, engaged in manufacturing.
There are valuable water powers on the premises, all of
which are improved. The business of Oneida Community
is in general agriculture, fruit growing and preserving, and
manufactures.

The Community started with a capital of ^100,000, in-
vested in lands and buildings. They were not, however,
successful, financially, for a few years, but as time wore on,
and the demand for their products increased, they prospered
in a pecuniary sense, and now the Community has proper-
ty to the amount of half a million of dollars, and this con-

*Mr. Jenkins is a strong advocate of temperance. He organized the first tem-
perance society in Oneida in the fall of 1863, and continued its President for five
years ; has been a member of the Good Templars' Lodge since its organization ; vi^as
a charter member ofthe Temperance Order called New Volume, and continued its
Chief Counselor till its consolidation with the Good Samaritans and Daughters of
Samaria in Feb., 1871 ; has been Worthy Chief of that Order since then 5 is Right
Worthy Deputy Grand Chief ofthe R. W. G. L., of G. S. & D., of S. of the
State of N. Y. His is the law otftce ofthe G L. of America.

LENOX.

535

stantly increasing in value. The dwellings are pleasantly
located a few hundred yards west of Oneida Creek ; they
consist of the original mansion house erected in 1848, sub-
sequently enlarged, three stories high, including basement,
with a ground area of 35 x 72 feet ; a large brick mansion
built in 1 86 1, 45 X 72 feet, three stories high, with a wing
also three stories high, 41 x 57 feet, and a four story tower,
18 feet square ; and several buildings adjacent, or attached as
wings to the old mansion house. These are surrounded by
a lawn and ornamental grounds, several acres in extent, ar-
tistically laid out with walks and drives, and planted with
trees, shrubs and flowers. A few rods in the rear of the
dwellings, is a large brick building three stories and a half
high, 31 X 72 feet, devoted to the laundry department, fruit
preserving, dentistry, printing office, school, &c. On the
opposite side of the road is a large building occupied as a
store, shoe shop, tailor shop, harness shop, &c. West of
the dwellings, some distance, is the depot of the Midland
Railroad. The barns for the storage of the abundant crops
and for the housing of their excellent dairy, are models for
farmers, being arranged on the most scientific plan.

Of the manufactures, steel trap making is the leading busi-
ness, giving employment to about one hundred persons.
It was first introduced by Mr. Sewall Newhouse, who be-
came a member in 1849. He had long been known in this
section as a successful trapper, and maker of a superior kind
of steel trap. In 1855, Mr. Noyes turned his attention to
the manufacture of this commodity, and with the aid of the
inventive genius of members of the Community, machinery
was applied to the manufacture, and a superior article was
soon produced. Six sizes of traps are manufactured and
find market all over the country, and in large quantities
throughout the west and northwest. In the manufacture of
sewing silk and ribbons, about one hundred persons, chiefly
women and girls hired from the surrounding country, are
employed. Great care is exercised that the work be well

536 MADISON COUNTY.

done, the silk being imported from China and of the best
quality. The sewing silk is regarded by buyers as the best
in the country. The Community bag manufactory makes
about thirty variety of bags, including all kinds in use, viz :
ladies' satchels, gentlemen's sacks and bags, and Noyes'
patent lunch bag, &c. Besides the above branches of man-
ufactures, there is a machine shop, a foundry, a saw m.ill,
and a carpenter and joiners' shop.

In gardening and orcharding, Oneida Community excels ;
their orchards and fruit grounds cover about fifty acres.
The orchards embrace the best known varieties that can be
grown in this climate, of apples, pears and plums. With
careful and scientific cultivation, they succeed in keeping
their fruit trees in the best of condition, tolerably free from
disease and insects and producing abundant crops. Their
small fruits, raspberries, strawberries, blackberries, grapes —
tons of the latter being raised — are of the best varieties, and
yield a great income. The products of the garden are equally
prolific and profitable. Fruit-preserving has been carried
to a high state of perfection and yields a handsome profit.

Financially, Oneida Community is a success. Its manu-
factures, of traps, silks, &c., together with the exports of so
great an abundance of produce, brings a large revenue.
The following statement made in 1870, we believe is sus-
tained by the facts : " Besides supporting the members of
the community, nearly $300,000 worth of goods here man-
ufactured, were sold by their agents last year," They em-
ploy about two hundred hands not of their own organiza-
tion, paying good wages.

Socially these people " are a law unto themselves" — liv-
ing in a manner not in accordance with the laws or usages
of New York State. Their real estate is nominally held by
the leading men in whom the body have confidence, the
property being equally the property of aU. Their commu-
nity of interests, as of one family, embraces the social rela-
tions. They designate this mode of life as "Complex Mar-

LENOX. 537

riage," which is fully set forth in a book writteti by J. H.
Noyes, entitled the " History of American Socialisms."
Their prosperity is probably due the efficient management
of the founder and those associated with him as its leaders.
It is believed, however, that in time, internal disagreements
arising from the unnatural theory upon which their social
structure is based, will cause their overthrow. Their so-
cialism is confined entirely to themselves — with outsiders
they deal only in a business way. They are pleasant people
to deal with, being straight-forward, honest and fair. They
show themselves intelligent, peaceable and kind-hearted.
The following extract from Pomeroy's letter, after visiting
there, [see Oneida Dispatch, March 8, 1870,] maybe of in-
terest here : " The women were dressed neatly and in
something like the bloomer costume, but in different col-
ored goods and material. They all looked clean, neat and
modest, though lacking in that elasticity of look and vivac-
ity one finds in an equal number of women in ordinary
homes. The men were clad as men generally are, in that
variety of style suiting them best, and on the whole were a
good looking, clean-faced, intellectual set of people, without
viciousness or traces of dissipation. At the Oneida Com-
munity there is no profanity — no coarse or vulgar language
— no using intoxicating liquors as a beverage — no using to-
bacco in any form — no words of unkindness. Each one
seems to respect not only himself, or herself, but others.
Some of the family were old, some middle aged — a few were
young. The women take turns in house work. The ones
who wait on the table this week, do something else next,
that labor may not be a monotonous drudgery. In the
evening the " family," old and young, meet in a small room
resembling a small theatre. Here we found a stage, pri-
vate boxes, chains, sofas, little tables, &c., as cozy as you
please. Here the entire family meet each other at night to
talk as do other families — to listen to music from piano and
other musical instruments — to sing and chat, and visit — to

538 MADISON COUNTY.

talk freely concerning the acts of any and all members of
the family, but in words of kindness — to witness tableaux,
theatrical exhibitions, &c."

This is the recompense — these external comforts received
in exchange for that domestic sanctity which we call home
— for the destroying of those sacred ties between husbancj
and wife, parents and children.

CHURCHES.

The First Baptist Church of Lenox, in Clockville. This
church was formed at the school house, near Joseph Palmer's,
on Palmer Hill, Dec. 20, 18 10. Eight brethren and sisters
composed the membership, as follows : Elder Paul Maine,
Stephen Palmer, Caesar Moody, Asvena Maine, Chester
Palmer, Joseph Palmer, Roswell Randall and Prudy Palmer.
Stephen Palmer was first deacon. Elder Paul Maine was
first pastor. In 18 18, a branch church was formed in the
north part of the town, which in 1820 was re-organized as
an independent church, and was called the " Second Baptist
Church of Lenox." In December, 1822, a re-union was
effected, and in August, 1823, the house of worship was
erected at Clockville,

TJie Baptist ChiircJi of Oneida. This church, in connec-
tion with a mission school for the Oneida Indians, was
established by the Hamilton Baptist Missionary Society in
December, 1820. First missionary and teacher, Rev. Rob-
ert Powell, of Hamilton. This became known as the " Mis-
sionary Church of Oneida Ca tie." In 1848, under the
labors of Rev. L. J. Huntley, who was pastor at Oneida
Castle, a Baptist Church was organized at Oneida and a
house of worship was soon erected. In 1849, the society
was transferred from Oneida Castle and permanently lo-
cated at Oneida. The church edifice was dedicated Janu-
ary 23, 1850.

The Clockville M. E. Church was built by the Protestant
Methodists, on Oak Hill. The house was subsequently
taken down and removed to Clockville, and there rebuilt.

LENOX.

539

Nicholas Bort was a resident local preacher, who exerted
his influence towards building up the society.

The Methodist Episcopal CInirch of Canastota. The first
class of this society was formed about 1830. The house of
worship was founded in 1833, but was not completed for
some years. It was, however, used for meetings in 1835.
Rev. Mr. Chapin was their first stationed minister. In
1837, the house was finished and dedicated. In 1859 '^
was enlarged and repaired, and in 1866 it was nearly built
anew. It is situated on the northwest corner of Chapel and
Main streets.

TJie Protestant Reformed Dutch Omrch of Canastota.
This church was organized at a meeting held April 30,
1833, at the house of A. D. Van Hooser. First Deacons
Charles Spencer and Samuel Halliday. The same year the
church edifice was erected. Rev. Thomas Gregory was
first pastor. The house stands at the corner of Peterboro
street and the railroad.

The Independc7it Church of Canastota, was organized as a
Free Church in 1845, the society being strongly anti-slave-
ry. The purposes of the society were, that the house should
be free for " all purposes as shall serve the cause of useful
knowledge, and free discussion of all subjects pertaining to
the public welfare, the rights of conscience and the worship
of God." In 1864, the society started anew with a still more,
liberal creed on an anti-sectarian basis. The house which
was built in 1846 was burned in 1 871, and a new brick one
has been built on the same site, at a cost of ^6,000.

The Presbyterian Omrch of Oneida, was formed in 1844.
with a membership of thirty persons. The meeting house
was finished and dedicated in January, 1845. Rev. James
Nichols was first pastor. The house has been twice en-
larged, the last expenditure for that purpose amounting to
^1,600.

St. Johns Omrch (Episcopal,) of Oneida. The first reli-
gious services of this church were held in the village school

540 MADISON COUNTY.

house about 1842. by Rev. Mr. Battin of Rome. In 1850,
occasional services were procured, (having been suspencled
during a period previously,) under the auspices of Bishop
DeLancev. In 1857, R. W. Oliver, their first regular pas-
tor, was employed. In 185 8, the Gothic Church, after
Upjohn's plan, was erected by Mrs. N. P. Randall and
Mrs. Niles Higinbotham. In 1869, the rectory was built.

JMcihodist Episcopal Church of Oneida. The first class
was formed at Oneida Castle. As early as 1850, the class
had been removed to Oneida Castle. Rev. A. L. York was
first settled pastor. The society built their house of wor-
ship in 1851, which was dedicated in the winter of 1853.
Improvements and additions have been made, from time to
time, the last change being made in 1866, at a cost of near-
ly S4.000.

[See page 495, for Congregational Church of Quality Hill.]

NEWSPAPERS.

Contemporary newspapers speak of the existence of a
newspaper published in Canastota in 1S29, called the Vide tic.
It had a brief existence.

The Canastota Register was published in 1830 by Silas
Judd and Henry B. Mattison ; in 1831, by H. S. Merrit.

The Canastota Times wa.s commenced in 1857, by Geo. H,
Merriam. In November of the same year, it became the
Herald and Times. In the spring of 1858. Mr. Merriam
sold to Frederick A. Williams, who then became editor ; it
was continued a few weeks and then given up.

The Canastota Eagle \vd.s started November 4, 1858. by
J. E. N. Backus, and was published about three years ; then
it passed into the hands of Smith Van Allen, and was called
the Canastota Weekly Gazette. Under the latter name it
was transferred to F. A. Darling, who, in 1861, entered the
army and the paper went down.

The Canastota Herald was commenced in September,
1866, by Arthur White, and continued by him tiU April,
1867; then it was published by White & Greenhow, one

LENOX.

541

year ; it then passed into the hands of Greenhow & Sons.
The latter firm sold to Mr. Shaffer, who sold to Walter C.
Stone, in 1871, by whom it is now published.

The Oneida Telegraph, a weekly paper, was commenced
at Oneida, in September, 185 i, by D. H. Frost. In June,
1854, it passed into the hands of John Crawford, and was
changed to

TJie Oneida Sachem, under which name it continued until
May, 1863, when it was changed to

The Oneida Dispatch. From March to October, 1864,
Edward H. Spooner was associated with Mr. Crawford in
the publication of the Dispatch. September 16, 1865, it
passed into the hands of Purdy & Jackson. In June, 1870,
E. H. Purdy withdrew, and M. M. Allen became associated
with D. A. Jackson. The Dispatch continues under the
firm name of Jackson & Allen, publishers.

The Democratic Union, weekly, was moved from Hamilton
to Oneida in 1863, by Wm. H. Baker, who continues to
publish it here.*

The Circular is a weekly paper published by the Oneida
Community. It was originated in 1857.

* Sines deceased.

K,4.2 MADISON COUNTY,

CHAPTER XI.

LEBANON,

Boundaries. — Geography. — Township No. 5. — Pioneer Settle-
ment.— VV^illiam S. and Justus B. Smith. — Naming of Leba-
non.— Improvements. — Proposed Village at Smith's Valley. —
Names of Early Settlers. — Sketches of Early Citizens. —
Lebanon Village. — Customs. — Spelling School. — Enterprises.
— Churches.

Lebanon is bounded on the north by Eaton, east by
Hamilton, south by Chenango County and west by George-
town. Its surface is a hilly upland, lying between the
Chenango and Otselic Rivers. The summits are from 500
to 800 feet above the valleys. Extending through the east
part is the valley of the Chenango River, averaging about
one mile in width, and bordered by steep hill sides. The
Midland Railroad curves and sweeps along the brow of the
ridge on the east side of the valley, and the traveler has a
view overlooking a scene of enchanting beauty, — broad and
handsomely cultivated farms through which the Chenango
gracefully glides, a trail of light on a background of velvety
green, — tasty farm cottages and noble family mansions of
the fashion of a day gone by, — all kept in perfect order by
the thrilty husbandman. To the westward, rolls hill after
hill, smooth (so they appear trom the "Midland" view,)
and green with verdure, bordered with remnants of the
once great forest. Down these hillsides rush numerous
brooks, tributaries to the Chenango. Among these hills

LEBANON.

543

the State of New York found a convenient "basin" to
store up water for the Chenango Canal, and in 1866, at con-
siderable expense, fashioned it into a great reservoir. In
the northwest part of the town is "Cranberry Marsh,"
owned by the Fisk family. In 1868, parties interested in
the mill facilities of the Otselic Creek in Georgetown,
obtained the privilege of using this water, when they
opened the outlet leading to the Otselic, and raised a dam
to regulate its flow.

Passing through the southeast corner of this town was
the old Utica and Oxf)rd Turnpike, which, however, never
really merited the title of Turnpike, as it was never com-
pleted. It was originated by a company who proposed to
carry it through by having each farmer build that part of
the road which passed his farm. Some farmers built it, but
a greater number did not ; consequently the road was never
chartered, never finished, and gates were never put up.
There were, however, many taverns, and a great deal of
traveling which kept them full of business.

On the east, Lebanon is bordered by the Chenango Canal.
Besides the Midland Railroad, the town has the Syracuse
and Chenango Valley Railroad, which crosses from near
the center of the west line to the village of Earlville, at the
southeast corner. The old State road from the Chenango
Vrilley to Syracuse, is the general course followed by this
railroad. Of the two million dollars which this road cost,
the town of Lebanon bears twenty-five thousand dollars in
individual subscriptions ; and this, when the town is bonded
heavily for the Midland.

Lebanon, No. 5 of the Twenty Townships, was originally
included in Hamilton. It was set apart as " Lebanon " by
an act of Legislature, February 6, 1807, and was undoubt-
edly named in remembrance of the town of Lebanon, Conn.,
the native home of many of the settlers. There is, how-
ever, an anecdote related, which gives the following version
of the naming of this town: When the bill was passed in

544

MADISON COUNTY.

LegislaUue, forming this with other new towns, General
Erastus Oeaveland, being the member who advocated the
bill, was asked what name the inhabitants of No. 5 proposed
to call their new town. This matter of a name had not
been attended to by the town's people, but the General's
ready wit served him in the emergency. Quick as light-
ning his menial vision swept over the magnificent forest
which distinguished Township No. 5. A poetical fancy
framed the thought, " Like the tall cedars of Lebanon !"
The far-feiched and musical-sounding name leaped to his
lips as soon as the thought assumed form. The question
was answered, the name accepted, and the people of the
new town were pleased with the title because it represented
their own native Lebanon. A cotemporary remarks that
the settlers of Lebanon weie devotedly attached to the cus-
toms of their native country, and they so firmly planted its
customs here that the Lebanon of Madison County is a
veritable counterpart of the old Lebanon of Connecticut.
It is the spirit of steady habits, quiet ways, even, pastoral
life.

To turn back to the period when these lands were first
in market, we learn that Col. William S. Smith and others,
resolved to locate some of the portions of the Chenango
Twenty Towns. At this period, (1791,) Joshua Smith, a
native of Franklin, New London County, Conn., a friend,
but not a relative of William S. Smith,* set out upon a
journey for the purpose of locating in the wilds of Central
New York. William S. Smith commissioned him to select
a tract of the best lands of the Twenty Townships, and ac-
quaint him with the situation, that he might make imme-
diate purchase of the authorities at Albany. Joshua Smith
set out, traversing the journey on horse-back, and reached
the Chenango Valley, probably before any other white set-
tler had arrived. He stopped at what was afterwards called
Smith's Valley, and upon a plateau of table-land, elevated

* Joshua Smith wis an officer under Col. Wm. S. Smith, in the Revolution.

LEBANON.

545

about twenty feet above the river, he built his cabin.
Around this elevation the river circled in the form of an
ox-bow. Across this bow, or cape, he felled trees, forming
a pen where he could turn his horse. Having need of a
harness, he constructed one of moose-wood bark, and made
chains of the same material, to haul logs with. In this
manner he prepared a domicil which he might inhabit
another year, and returned east. The information he com-
municated to William S. Smith, concerning the lands of the
Twenty Townships, was immediately acted upon by that in-
dividual, and his application for a large tract is recorded as
follows, in N. Y. S. Doc. Hist, vol HI., p. 1073.

" The application of Col. William S. Smith, for the purchase
of townships No. 2, 3, 4, 5, 8 and 9, being six of the twenty
townships surveyed by the surveyor-general, pursuant to an act
passed the 25th day of February, 1789, at the rate of three shil-
lings and three p^ nee per acre ; one-sixth of the purchase money
to be paid on the first of October next, half of the residue on
the first of January, 1792, and the residue on the first of Janu-
ary, 1793, being read and duly considered.

(Accepted.) Acres 150,000 = ;^24,375."

William S. Smith received the patent for these townships
from the government of New York State, April 16, 1794.

Subsequently, the agent of Sir William Pultney entered
into an arrangement with the State and William S. Smith,
whereby Sir William Pultney became proprietor of Town-
ships No. 2, 3, 4 and 5, Mr. Smith reserving a large tract
bordering the Chenango River, which, with Nos. 8 and 9 —
Smyrna and Sherburne — of Chenango County, still left
him a large landholder, and the possessor of the best lands
in the tract.

Col. Wilham S. Smith sent on his brother, Justus B.
Smith, as agent, who built him a house at Smith's Valley,
and made the sale of the lands, his business. William S.
Smith resided here at irregular periods, his house .being a
small frame one, near the mansion of Justus B. Nine
brothers and sisters of the Smith family are remembered as
having been residents of Smith's Valley, at one time and
12

546 MADISON COUNTY.

another. These were, WiUiam S., Justus B., John and
James, and five sisters. They were born and bred in Long
Island, well educated people, used to wealth, and loved
luxury. They were heirs to a princely estate from the
Thorn Family, of England. One of the sisters, Ann, mar-
ried Mr. Masters, and lived in Smith's Valley. Her farm
was the best in Lebanon. This is now the farm of J. D.
F. Smith. The brothers were all Revolutionary soldiers,
held commissions, and bore an honorable reputation for
bravery.

William S. Smith was aid to Baron Steuben, and for mer-
itorious conduct was commissioned Colonel. He married
Abigail Adams, only daughter of John Adams, second Pres-
ident of the United States. During Mr. Adams' adminis-
tration, Wm. S. Smith was appointed Minister to England.
Subsequently, at the period of Aaron Burr's conspiracy, he
was connected with Miranda's secret expedition, which the
government looked upon with suspicion, as combined with
Burr's treasonable operations. As the result of Miranda's
expedition foreboded peril to the adventurers, Col. Smith
placed all his landed' estates in this and Chenango County
in the hands of Justus B. The expedition, however,
brought about no definite results or penalties. Col. Smith
returned to Smith's Valley and lived for a season. He was
elected to Congress from the 17th District in 1813, and
having served his term was re-elected in 181 5.

William S. Smith had three children. Baron Steuben, John
Adams and Caroline. They are all dead. John Adams
Smith became a lawyer, commencing in the law office ■
of Judge Hubbard, of Hamilton. Caroline became Mrs.
DeWitt ; she was lost in the disaster of the Henry Clay, in
our Northern waters. Mrs. Abigail Smith was a noble wo-
man, and her daughter Caroline, like her, was lovely in per-
son, mind and heart. To his latest days, the Colonel is re-
membered as high spirited and very proud, though his for-
tunes had become sadly reduced.

LEBANON. ^47

Justus B. Smith built his house at what was called the
"lower Ian ling," where the ndians launched their larger
canoes, it being the highest point on the Chenango where
the depth of water admitted their navigation. They some-
times paddled lighter crafts to the " upper landing," a short
distance north, and kept the Chenango river free from ob-
structions to the Susquehanna. They had campino-
grounds all along the river. Justus B. Smith made friends
with the Indians, who thereafter made a practice to stop a
night or more at "Father Smith's Castle," on every journev
they made to and from the Susquehanna. Justus B. was a
man of uncommonly fine proportions and handsome fea-
tures ; a jovial bachelor, possessing a convivial nature, who
dispensed hospitalities to his guests with a princely hand,
and many a night the dusky natives, men and maids, held
high " wassail " with their white host. The Smith farm is
now the farm of Whipple Clark, and the old Smith mansion
is still in being, not far from the residence of Mr. Clark.

Col. William S. and Justus B. Smith both died in Smith's
Valley in 1816. Both were buried in the old grave-yard,
on what was known as Lines' Hill, on the road between
Smyrna and Sherburne.

Joshua Smith's first location was about 100 rods south of
the corner at Smith's Valley, nearly due west, across the
river, opposite the depot. His shanty was the first one
built between Guthrie's and Cazenovia. The place is now
owned by Mr. Barr. Joshua Smith, after living here some
years, married a sister of Judge Payne. He was from the
same race of Smiths from which have sprung several emi-
nent authors, among whom is Roswell C. Smith, author of
Smith's Geography, the latter being a near relative of
Joshua. Jabin Armstrong of Lebanon, one of the first na-
tive born citizens of the town, was born at the Joshua Smith
place, his father being one of the early settlers, and his
mother being a sister of Mr. Smith.

Again we go back to 1792, the autumn of the year when

548

MADISON COUNTY.

Enoch Stowell, of New Hampshire, and Jonathan Bates, of
Vermont, with John and James SaHsbury, of the latter
place, entered this town. Enoch Stowell and Jonathan
Bates selected what proved to be Lot No. 7, as the location
of their future settlement, while the Salisbury brothers set-
tled on an adjoining lot, but which was in the town of Ea-
ton. Well knowing that they were to leave the confines of
civihzation considerably in the rear, they accordingly
brought with them a supply of beans and flour, and drove
an ox which they and their comrades, on arriving at their
destination, killed and preserved for future use. They
erected a bark shanty, in which they lodged ; and with this
simple fare these hardy young men chopped the timber on
twenty acres of land before the winter came on. The cold
storms of that season approaching, disclosed to them the
discomfort of their slender tenement, and warned them of
its incapacity to protect them. Therefore the party re-
paired to Bainbridge to spend the season among friends,
who were also settlers there from Vermont.

Mr. Bates only returned in the spring of 1793, bringing
with him his family, and commenced alone upon the clear-
ing.

Mrs. Bates was the first white woman in the town of
Lebanon. Jonathan Bates was a patriot in the Revolution-
ary war. He possessed some of the characteristics of his
commander, Ethan Allen, with whom he went into Ticon-
deroga. The hardy quahties needed for the fatigues of the
march, the fierce and determined spirit required for such
deeds of daring as Ethan Allen and his men performed,
served Mr. Bates well in the rough work of the pioneer.
Many of the oldest citizens remember his resolute, bluft"
and unpolished manner, which, however, we doubt not, cov-
ered a heart of real worth. The following story is frequently
related of him : Some time elapsed after Mr. Bates had paid for
his farm, and Justus B. Smith had not yet given him a deed.
The delay was owing to Smith's neglect. Bates' stock of

LEBANON,

549

patience became exhausted at length, and loading his rifle,
he proceeded to Smith's house. On entering Smith's pres-
ence, with cool audacity Bates stood his rifle near him,
folded his arms across his broad chest, his great muscular
frame erect, facing Smith, and demanded a deed forthwith.
Smith replied that he would make one but the following day
and bring it to him. " Smith," said Bates, with meaning in
his tone, reaching for his rifle, " Do you make that deed to-
day, or you are a dead man !" It is needless to state that
the deed was drawn up, then and there, as speedily as Smith
could transfer it to paper, and no offence was taken either,
since carelessness was the only excuse Smith had to offer.

On the farm they had cleared up, Mr. and Mrs. Bates
spent the rest of their lives, dying within five days of each
other. On the east side of the river road, opposite the
farm dwellings, is the family burial ground. On the mar-
ble slabs yet remaining, we read : " In memory of Jonathan
Baits, who died 20. April, 1827, aged 72 years." "In memory
of Elizabeth Baits, wife of Jonathan Baits, who died 25. April,
1828, aged ^y years." Jay Bates, an infant grandson, lies
at their feet. Near by is "Henry Bates, who died 14 Au-
gust, 1 83 1, aged 39 years."

In due season, after Mr. Bates' family had got settled,
Enoch Stowell came on to clear up his farm which he had
located in 1792, He built his first log house near a cold
spring which is now easily found near Mr. Stowell's garden
wall. He subsequently married Miss Cynthia Church,
who came with the pioneer Morses. His second house — a
frame one — stood where, fifty-three years ago, he built
his stone mansion.

There is an anecdote related, illustrative of Mr. Stowell's
experience in pioneering. Being greatly in need of an ax,
he went to Hamilton where a blacksmith by the name of
Cole was just starting a forge, on the very ground where
the Park House now stands. Mr. Cole, according to agree-
ment, furnished the desired implement in due season, re-

550

MADISON COUNTY.

ceiving a good sum therefor. But the ax didn't work well ;
grind it ever so carefully, it wouldn't hold an edge, and from
dire necessity, Mr. Stowell was obliged to carry it back to
have it tempered anew.

Mr. Cole took the condemned ax in his hands, looked
it over, ejected a monstrous mouthful of tobacco juice, and
said very quietly : " No wonder the ax don't hold an edge ;
it's made of iron !" then added : " I'll take it back and make
you a good one." He then told Mr. Stowell that when he
made the iron ax he had no steel to make a better one, but
with the money he received for that, he had been to Utica
and purchased sufficient steel to make a large number of
good ones.

Stephen Stowell, now living in Georgetown, was the first
of his family born on the farm. The father of Enoch Sto-
well came to this county. He was formerly a preacher, and
in the Revolutionary war was a Captain. He died in New
Woodstock, Madison County, at the house of one of his
sons, at the advanced age of ninety-two. Enoch Stowell
also lived to be ninety-two years old, dying June 3, 1859,
at the family mansion. His son, Horace Stowell, succeeded
to the homestead.

Samuel Felt settled on the west side of the Chenango
river in the vicinity of Earlville, in the spring of 1794. He
had been in the year before, selected his land and built a
cabin. His brother, David Felt, came also in 1794.
They were from Summerstown, Tolland County, Connect-
icut. David Felt located his first domicil north of the
brick house built by William Felt a few years since. Sam-
uel Felt had his place where Whitman Clark now lives.
The barn he built is yet standing, moved across the road.
Their land cost three dollars per acre. The location is
superb.

During the first year of their settlement, they experienced
great privations, particularly during the winter months.
They were obliged to go to Whitestown, by marked

LEBANON. ccj

trees, to mill, but when the path was blocked by winter
snows, the journey was made with difficulty in the best of
weather, at other tmies made imposssible by the storms.
As a consequence, necessity suggested many inventions.
Boiled wheat and hulled corn were common articles of food,
and when tired of this monotonous diet, Samuel Felt in-
vented a novel method of obtaining meal. He sawed a sec-
tion from a tough elm log, bored one end full of auger holes
to the required depth, having no other tools serviceable for
the work. From the fire-place he took live coals, dropping
them into the augur holes, and succeeded by fanning and
blowing, in burning out the inside of the log, which made a
fair wooden mortar. From a tough limb of the same tree
he made a huge wooden pestle. With this improvised mill
the neighborhood was furnished with meal, samp and wheat
flour, which was then a luxury. The old mortar and pestle
saved many a perilous journey, and was of service even after
mills had been built, in pounding rock salt, the only kind of
salt in use for years.

There was a large family of the Felts. The sons of Sam-
uel were Jehiel, Samuel, Elam, John, Jabin, Sylvester and
David. For a time these men were all settled about here,
but later they became scattered. Elam was a strong pillar
of the Methodist Church, and his name is prominent in the
history of that church in Earlville, Irom its early beginnings
till his death. His home was the home of the ministers,
and of his wealth he gave abundantly for the prosperity ot
the cause.

David Felt had a large family. His son Horace, was the first
one of this family born in Lebanon. His birth was August
1 8th, 1795. Asa Felt who was seven years old when his
father moved, yet lives in Earlville ; he is in his eighty-
sixth year, and is probably the oldest pioneer of Lebanon
living.

William Felt, a grandson of one of the pioneers, was one
of the prominent business men of Earlville. He accumu-

552

MADISON COUNTY.

lated a large property, chiefly in cattle dealing and dro\^er-
ino-. He was a man of great judgment and tact in business,
and was at the same time generous and public spirited.
He built the present grist mill, about thirty-five years ago,
and about twelve years ago built the Brick Block, the finest
building in Earlville. His late residence, a fine brick house
on the west of the river, is pointed out as the earthly home
of one whom all Earlville remember with respect. On his
death, having no children, he bequeathed $75,000 of his es-
tate to tl.e town of Lebanon for her poor. Through the
liiigation of contesting parties, only about $5,000 was re-
ceived.

From 1794, onward, the tide of emigration setting toward
the "Chenango Twenty Towns," poured in. No. 5 had
been surveyed, and Robert Troup, agent for Pultney,
was selling out the hill lands, while Justice Smith had little
difficulty in selling the valley. The interminable forest,
which had waved like a vast sea over the valleys and hills
of Lebanon, became dotted here and there, for miles apart,
with clearings. The spirit of aggression, of the war of civ-
ilization with untamed nature, manifested itself in those
veteran pioneers, who should no more be forgotten in our
country's history, than should the names of those veteran
soldiers in another and different war, who battled for our
rights and our homes also, be consigned to oblivion. Both
deserve far more than can be given in meagre records.

The list we have obtained, gives us, on the river road, be-
sides those already mentioned, Malachiah Hatch, Dea.
King, Dea. Tinney, David Shapley, Benjamin Hatch, Mr.
Crocker, the Wheelers and many others. The fine old
family mansions along the whole length of the river road to
Earlville, attest to the thrift and progressive spirit of the
pioneers.

For a time the Smiths planned for a village at their place.
The fine table land on the Masters farm now owned by J.
D. F. Smith, was the location chosen. The village plot

LEBANON. 553

was already marked out, and the stakes stuck, when Judge
Elisha Payne came down from Hamilton to disarrange the
matter. He had decided that the village of the Chenango
Vallev should be at Payne's settlement. Between Justus
B. Sniith and Judge Payne there came near being a battle
fiercer than words, in which Smith lost his self-command
and muscular force took possession. Although in the quar-
rel Smith might have got the better of Payne, yet in the
long run Payne got the better of his opponent, for the vil-
lage of Payne's Settlement was certainly built, and the
streets of the proposed village at Smith's Valley were never
opened. At a late day, some of the charred bottoms of the
stakes then stuck, were found on Smith's village site.

The first necessities of the times were grist mills and
saw mills. The grist mill built by the Wheelers was the first
in town, its location being on the site of Mr. Armstrong's
mill, near the feeder, in the east part of the town. [This
mill is mentioned more fully in the chapter of Hamilton.]

Daniel and Elisha Wheeler were enterprising men, as
their first works in Lebanon show. They were carpenters
and mechanics, the best the new country produced, and
were engaged in every large enterprise of the first twenty-
five years.

The first house which Daniel Wheeler built, on moving
into Lebanon, was a log tenement, which, like those of all
the pioneers, for a time boasted of only the opening for a
door and windows, which were protected by blankets and
sheets. However, immediately after the erection of a saw
mill, a door was made, and though not finely carved or pan-
eled, it was nice and strong, and for a number of years its
friendly latch-string hung out. All the settlers then used
sliding boards for windows.

Mrs. Wheeler's milk pantry in this house consisted of
some fine stone shelves, whose surfaces were as smooth as a
bottle, and which proved to be most excellent coolers for
milk in the hot days of summer.

554

MADISON COUNTY.

About 1800, Mr. Wheeler erected a plank building for a
wagon shop. After it was finished, Mrs. Wheeler entered
it one day to view its fine proportions, when she remarked
to her husband that she should be glad to change houses with
him. To this he readily agreed, and so the log house was
used for a wagon shop, and the plank one for a dwelling.
This house is yet standing and occupied, near the mill now
owned by Mr. Armstrong.

The shocking accident causing Daniel Wheeler's death,
which, though occurring in Earlville, may be appropriately
mentioned here, as his life previously had so identified him
with the inhabitants of this section, that he had become, as
it were, a part of their fraternity.

He had sold his mill property here and purchased one at
Earlville, and though at work in his newly acquired proper-
ty there, he had not yet removed his family thither. It was
in the month of December, and a severe cold night had
frozen the water in the mill wheel. Entering the wheel-pit
in the morning, Mr. Wheeler proceeded to cut away the ice,
which proved to be not so firm as he had supposed. The
moment the ice yielded, the water rushed in (the gate be-
ing up,) and set the wheel revolving before he could extri-
cate himself, when he was thrown round and round the
wheel. A man above as quickly as possible closed the gate,
and hastening below, found Mr. Wheeler standing, clinging
with one arm to a post. In his excitement the man caught
him in his arms and ran up the ladder as swiftly as he
would had he only been bearing a child in his arms. The
suffering man was still alive, his body seriously bruised, his
ribs broken, and one arm literally crushed in fragments.
His wife was sent for, and eminent physicians immediately
brought, one from New Hartford, (his name is forgotte \)
who amputated his arm. The utmost efforts were put forth
to save his life, which, however, availed nothing, and after
a week of suffering, he died on Christmas morning, 1806.
His remains were carried to his house in Lebanon, where

LEBANON.

555

the funeral was held, and he was buried in the grave vard
near by. Thus perished, at the age of thirty-five, one of the
best of husbands and kindest of fathers — one of the most
worthy and useful men of the country. His loss was
deeply deplored by the whole community. The grave yard
where his remains lie, was once a portion of his own farm,
having been donated by him and Mr. Shapley to the public
for a burial ground. It is a pleasant spot, and is sacred to
the memory of many of the pioneer settlers of Hamilton and
Lebanon.

The first store of Lebanon was kept by Joshua Smith in
the basement of a house built by himself at Smith's Valley.
Afterwards Clark, Dorrance & Smith kept the store and a
tavern together in the same place.

Jonathan Thayer settled at Lebanon village and set up
potash manufacturing ; he afterwards went into the battery
business, and then opened trade. He also built the first
store of Lebanon and was in fact the first who established
the mercantile business in Lebanon. His store yet stands
in Lebanon village, being the present postoffice.

The travel directed toward the routes of the various State
roads which were opened at an early day, demanded the es-
tablishment of inns. This demand in Lebanon was first
supplied by Philip Kibble, who kept for years what was
known far and near as the " Old Kibble Tavern," north of
Earlville, on the road between there and Smith's Valley.
After the first opening settlement, there followed a few years
of arduous struggles in subduing the wilderness — struggles
in which the forester laid away in his brain material for
many a tall yarn to be spun out of evenings at the tavern
of " Old Jolly Kibble," as he was familiarly called. INIr. B.
B. Wilcox owns the place upon which the Kibble House
stood, and some two years since lived in it. He then built
a new house and removed the old tavern.

The second hotel was built at Smith's Valley and a])Out
forty years ago was burned. The present one is built upon
the site.

556 MADISON COUNTY.

Many of the pioneers located on the tops of the highest
hills, thereby securing a pure atmosphere, and avoiding the
noxious miasmas of heavily-wooded, damp valleys. As the
forest gradually receded from these oases, many planted by
their humble doors the lofty-growing poplar, which, in the
course of a decade or so of years, became magnificent trees,
rendering the home of the farmer comely and conspicuous.

Capt. Gaylord Stevens settled in the northwestern part
of the town and took up considerable land. In that day
the farmers were obliged to let their cattle roam at large
in the woods, having no pastures or fences, and the flock
were allowed to take their choice between the green leaves
and weeds of the woods, or the moist but coarse grasses of
the swamps. The leader of the flock always wore the bell
to warn the herdsman, as he sought them at night, of their
whereabouts. Often in the spring of the year, when the
swamps were full, has the settler found a cow missing, per-
haps his best, when he gathered them at the close of day,
and on search being made has found her mired in the yield-
ing morass, exhausted, or perhaps dead from over exertion
trying to extricate herself, or drowned by sinking into the
water. Near Capt. Stevens' farm was a large marsh, con-
taining a body of water, small in circumference, but very
deep. " Cranberry Marsh " it was named, from the abund-
ance of cranberries growing there, and among whose de-
ceitful morasses many accidents to stock have occurred.
For rods from the water's edge the turf of this marsh lies
loosely, like an apron, over fathoms of water beneath, and
when once mired, and the turf broken through, the poor
creature had little chance for its life. Losses of this nature
were often suffered, and were grievously felt by those living
where there were no cattle to be purchased to replenish
their herds.

Roads were then what would now scarcely be called by
the name. They crossed over the highest hill tops to in-
sure the dryest route, and in every hollow was a swamp or

LEBANON.

557

mire, which was bridged by logs transversely laid in the
track, so that between the tedious hills and those jolting
causeways, a journey of a dozen miles was a laborious af-
fair. As the forest was cleared away and the sunlio-ht let
in, these quagmires dried up, and with them many a rush-
ing rivulet which made music by the settler's door, and
supplied his house with pure, soft water. Only the beds
which marked the course of some of these streams are now
to be seen, while many more have been completely erased
by the progress of cultivation.

Wild animals were exceedingly bold. An instance is re-
lated of a bear attacking a calf in the day time, close by the
house of Elihu Bosworth, Mrs. Bosworth was alone with
her young children, when she heard the distressed bleating
of the calf. Going to the door to ascertain the cause, she
beheld it dying, terribly mangled and torn by a huge bear
which she saw in full view of her door.

Wolves were often troublesome. As late as 1815, in the
month of February, an exciting wolf hunt took place in the
eastern part of this town. The circumstances are related
as follows : —

A hunter had started up a large wolf in the vicinity of
Leland's Pond, in Eaton, but failing to kill him, he notified
the inhabitants along the route the wolf had taken. The
men of Hamilton and eastern Lebanon turned out en masse
to assist in the capture of this formidable enemy to their
flocks. They were formed into a company, and sta-
tioned at proper distances along the route. He came
along the stream from Leland's Pond into Hamilton, and
then struck off over the hill, in a southwesterly direction
into the edge of Lebanon. An outpost of men were pre-
pared to cut off his passage, while a party pressed hard in
the rear. Being driven by the hunters to the limits of this,
the wolf made a bold push and pressed some of the sentinels,
who closed in with the pursuers, but yet who did not get
near enough to make a good shot at him in his desperate

;58

MADISON COUNTY.

leaps. He was making bold moves for liberty, though
nearly tired out ; the outposts were all passed but one,
which was guarded by two men, who happened to be armed
only with clubs. The underbrush was thick, the snow
breast deep, but the intense excitement at this point made
the chase a stirring one. The wolf strove to redouble his
failing speed, but in his blind haste in passing this last out-
post he rushed between two saplings not a foot apart, which
caught and held him, though from which he, no doubt,
soon would have released hmiself, had not the two un-
armed sentinels dispatched him. One of them (Jeremiah
Lillibridge by name,) caught him by the tail and held him
from escaping, while his comrade beat the head of the im-
prisoned brute till life was extinct.

It is remarkable with what facility and rapidity the land
in Lebanon was settled. We have before us a map drawn
by Silas Seymour, surveyor, in i8 15, which locates the lots,
and every farmer then living on them. The following
names will be recognized as being a large percentage of the
inhabitants of that period :

In the northeast quarter, in the east part, were Benjamin
Church, Jonathan Bates, Enoch Stowell, John Groves, Da-
vid Shapley, Jabin Armstrong, Benjamin Hatch, Amos
Crocker, Samuel Sherrill, John Powell, Jacob Hartshorn,
Henry Palmer ; the Campbells on Lot 26 ; Jeremiah, John
and Jonathan Tift, large landholders near the center of the
quarter ; Ann Masters, owning a farm of 265 acres on Lots
31 and 50; David Hartshorn, Amos Kingsley and Walter
Allen on Lot 49 ; Elisha Wheeler on Lot 32, and Daniel
Briggs on Lot 48. The Eddys near the south line of the
quarter, and A. Mosely near the west line, besides Wm.
Smith on the Smith estate.

In the northwest quarter, Curtis Hoppin and Joseph
Tayntor were located on the northwest corner Lot, being No.
I. M. Merritt, N. Crary, on Lot. No. 2. There were Lent,
Joel, John and William Bradley in different sections. On the

LEBANON, 559

road leading from Eaton to Lebanon village, lived, besides
Mr. Hoppin, G. Morey, E. G. Grosvenor, Richard Taylor,
Aaron Gates, Marrs Blair, Abram Webster and A. Norton,
There were Josiah Lasell, Peter Wylie, Moses Wylie, the
farm of Samuel Lewis and that of Silas Seymour, which was
on the east line of this quarter and west of the Campbell
settlement. Northwest of the center of the town was Ezra
Gates, Ira Lamb, Thomas Jerrels, E. Sabins ; also Brown
Blair, John Blair and C. C. Huston. In the northwest part
of the quarter was Elihu Bosworth, Timothy W. Lull, Mat-
thias Cazier, Gaylord Stevens and John Fisk. On the road
leading in from Georgetown, — Samuel Stetson, Benjamin
Hewes, Julius Hitchcock, V. B. Gilbert, John Blair and Is-
rael Thayer.

In the southwest quarter were the Benedicts, near the
center of the town. In the north tier of lots in this quarter
were Ephriam Gray, Orsamus Gilbert, Jonathan Thayer,
Constant Merrick, Dane Ballard, William Taggart and
others. In various parts were Joseph Patridge, Sheldon
Swan, Gilead Knapp, Samuel Ballard, Sanford Head,
Asahel Sexton, Giles Collins, Jabez Billings, John Sheldon,
Gaius Stebbins, Jonn Stone, Joseph Mack and Thomas
Ward. In the south border of the quarter and of the town,
were Joseph and Reuben Bisby, Jesse Leonard, Comfort
Johnson, Eleazur Fellows, Oran Seward and others. Niles
Settlement, included a large tract on the west border of this
quarter, being also the west border of the town.

In the southeast quarter on the east side of the river,
near Earlville, were Robert Cormick, Margaret De St. Vil-
iers, Belinda Clarkson, Sarah Adams, E. Daniels and others.
In the southeast corner near Earlville were the Felts ; Ru-
fus, William and John Henry, Thomas Kershaw, Stephen
Jones and Daniel Clark. Up the river road to the north
was John Polish, Christopher Babcock, Harry Waters, Jo-
seph Clark, John Douglass, J. W. Bulkley, Jas. Sheffield
and Allen Wood, being here at the last named, the north

560 MADISON COUNTY.

line of the quarter. From Earlville on the road north-
westerly, was the large farm of Thomas Biiell ; there were
Joel and Oran Stebbins, Solomon Baker, David Baker,
Hezekiah Willis, the Ostroms and others. In different
parts were Peleg Wilcox, Zerah Lillibridge, Otis Follett,
John Persons, and a large farm toward the center of the
quarter owned by Leverett Rexford. On the old State Road
were Joseph Card, Palmer Sherman, James Dye, Isaac Wil-
cox, Abijah Snow, Perry Lillibridge. Thomas Murphy,
James Muir and Benjamin Willis.

Some of the settlements were made by large families
taking up farms adjacent to each other. One of the earliest
and one of the largest families who thus settled, were the
Campbells.* They consisted of nine separate households,
viz : Allen, Daniel, Charles, Archibald, Stuart, John, James,
Littlejohn and Isaac Campbell. These were not all broth-
ers, but were, however, kindred. Widow Nancy and Widow
Patience Campbell were among the emigrants, being moth-
ers of some of these men, Mrs. Nancy Campbell taught
the first school of the town, when she was seventy years of
age. Campbell's Settlement comprised several hundred
acres of land, situated east of the center line in the north-
east quarter. Of this numerous family, but few are left ;
A. B. Campbell and N. M. Campbell, grandsons of Archi-
bald Campbell, still represent the race in Lebanon.

The Billings, located south of the center of the town —
Capt. Truman and Jabez Billings, pioneers, who with John
Sheldon and Giles Collins, settled Billing's Hill. These
men made their settlement one of the most active, progress-
ive and prominent localities of the town. It is related of
John Sheldon, that when he came to the new country he was
very poor, and carried all he possessed in a small pack slung
over his shoulder on his ax helve. He located, and eventu-
ally cleared and paid for, a noble farm of three hundred
acres, and became a useful and an influential citizen.

*Native place of some of the Campbells, was Sterling, Conn.

LEBANON. 561

Perhaps the largest settlement of one family was that of
Niles. The pioneer, John Niles, was from Chesterfield,
Massachusetts. When nineteen years of age, he left his
parental home, with nothing in his pocket but a York shil-
ling his father gave him when he started. With this he
purchased a loaf of bread, which lasted him the entire
journey of 150 miles, — a journey he performed on foot.
Doubtless he found many on his way who generously ex-
tended hospitality to a youth so enterprising. He reached
the home of Rev. Samuel Kirkland in Clinton, safely, hired
to him, and there remained till he married. In 1792, he,
with a few others, went into Madison, and there took up his
farm, for which he paid twelve shillings per acre. Himself
and wife, ambitious and hopeful, entered their new home,
labored hard, and were abundantly prospered. In the
course of a dozen years Mr. Niles had a good deal of cleared
land, had built two thirty and forty foot frame barns and a
sixty foot shed between, to shelter his accumulated stock
and crops. He had also built a good frame house, "which
had glass windows, was painted vermillion red, with white
trimmings," the handsomest house of its day, in that vicini-
ty, (Bouckville.) Among several children born there, the
eldest, Luther C. Niles, born July 2, 1795, is now living in
Lebanon.

Mr. Niles sold his farm in Madison* to James Cooledge,
and next located in Lebanon. He had previously sent for
his father, mother, brothers and sisters, offering them
homes in the new country. They came on, and after stay-
ing a brief time in Madison they joined him in Lebanon.
The tract he took up was located in the western part of the
south-west quarter, and it contained 3,000 acres, for which
he paid three dollars per acre. Upon this tract settled the
Niles family, and from them it was named Niles' settlement.
The patriarch was Nahum Niles. His sons were : Nathan,

* This afterwards became the " banner farm " of Madison County. It is now
owned by C. Z. Brockett. (See Chapter of Madison.)
J2

^^2 MADISON COUNTY,

John, Isaac, Samuel, Ephraim and Calvin. The Niles were
farmers of the substantial and progressive sort. The first
and second generations have gone the way of the earth, and
but few of the third generation, which was once very nu-
merous, are to be found in Lebanon. Luther Niles is one
of three, left of John Niles' family of eighteen children, and
the only one in this town.* Descendants of other branches
of this race may be found in various parts of the county.

Thomas Buell, from New Hampshire, took up a large
farm in the south east quarter, and settled upon it, locating
his large family around him. Hiniself and family were
prominent in public matters and in society. He died here.
One of his sons Chauncey Buell, and /its son Philander C.
Buell, have in succession owned the family homestead, and
both also died here. The farm is now owned by Joseph E.
Morgan. The Buells, as a family, were distinguished for
musical talents of the first order. Eli Buell, formerly well
known in musical circles as a superior vocalist, was grand-
son of Thomas Buell.

Sanford Head was born in Rhode Island, in 1788, and
came with his father, Joseph Head, to the town of Madi-
son, when but a lad, he being the oldest of a family of six
sons. In his early youth he commenced teaching, and be-
fore he was eighteen years of age, had taught several terms,
in Brookfield, Madison, Lebanon, and Augusta. He mar-
ried then, and afterwards, at the age of nineteen, located his
farm of 300 acres in Lebanon, about one mile south of the
present village. Becoming a citizen of this town, and be-
ing greatly interested in schools, he exerted his influence to
promote education. The same spirit was implanted in, and
characterized his large family, all of whom, sons and daugh-
ters, except one, we believe, became teachers. School
offices, for the town of Lebanon, from the least to

*Luther C. Niles and lady have been married 55 years, and on the fiftieth anni-
versary celebrated their golden wedding. Mr. Niles is now in his yStb year. Mrs.
Niles is the oldest daughter of Ephriam Gray, of Lebanon.

LEBANON. 563

the greatest, have been committed to the care of Sanford
Head and his sons. Sanford Head is still living, at the ad-
vanced age of 84 years, on the homestead he first planted,
enjoying the benefits of his well-directed labors.

Ephraim Gray from New Lebanon, Columbia County, N.
Y., became another of the substantial citizens of this town.
His son, Cooley C. Gray, resides on the same farm his
father owned in 181 5. Competent, public spirited men, in
whom people reposed confidence, have been the Grays,
father and sons.

Dr. Constant Merrick, the first physician of Lebanon,
and one of the large land owners of the early days, was very
prominent in educational matters. He was also an able
physician, greatly respected, and " did a world of business."
His family name is no longer represented in Lebanon.

Silas Seymour was born in Hartford, Conn., in 1777. In
1 80 1, then a young man of great energy and enterprise, he
removed to Lebanon and located in the northwest quarter
on the west border of Campbell Settlement, taking up a farm
of about two hundred acres. He became a useful and in-
fluential citizen, always interested in the prosperity of his
town. The welfare of common schools largely engaged his
attention. He remained on his homestead his life through, ^
reared a family of ten children, who are all living except
one, and died at an advanced age. His life was character-
ized by industry, economy, sobriety and temperance, which
secured to him their agreeable fruits — competence and a hap-
py old age. Silas Seymour and his sons were frequently
chosen to public offices, from the least to the greatest in
the systemi of town government.

Daniel Clark, from Colchester, Connecticut, came to
Lebanon in 1803, and located a large farm in the south east
quarter, about two miles from Earlville. He took up a
large piece of wild land, cleared it, and brought into culti-
vation a fine farm. He was a worthy and useful citizen,
and reared his family to positions of usefulness. At an

564 MADISON COUNTY.

honored old age, he died on the farm where he had so long
lived, and was buried with many an other fellow-pioneer,
in Earlville cemetery. The Clark homestead is owned by
his grandson, F. B. Clark. Squire David Clark, of Earl-
ville, is son of Daniel Clark,

Curtis Hoppin was born at Guilford, Connecticut, July
12, 1785 ; his parents removed to Berkshire County, Mass-
achusetts, and died leaving him an orphan at an early age.
It was said of Curtis Hoppin at the time of his death :

" He inherited a robust constitution and an empty purse ; com-
menced life with two sheep, one copy of Morse's School Geogra-
phy, one suit of linsey woolsey, and an energetic, self-reliant dis-
position. He, during winter evenings and early mornings soon ac-
quired an education which rendered him competent for a teach-
er, an avocation which he followed for a few years in Mas-^.a-
chusetts, and during the winter for several years in Lebanon,
in the spring of 1810, he started on foot for what was thought
the far West, in search of cheap lands, and bought on what is
known by old settlers as Hoppin's Hill, and later in the season
moved his family to his new home, at the same time driving with
him his flock of 230 merino sheep, (the first flock of merinos
ever brought to the country,) which under his judicious care, in-
creased in a few years to 4,000, making him the largest wool
grower in Madison County. He served as an officer of the N.
Y. Militia which was called to Sackett's Harbor in the year
1814. and served his town as Supervisor, and in other capacities,
and his county as Member of Assembly in the year 1827, with
fidelity to the interests intrusted to his care, and with honor to
himself He was an earnest advocate of what he believed for
the good of society. He introduced many improvements in ag-
riculture which were satisfactorily tested upon his large and pro-
ductive farm, and which became the means of lifting^ bv his ex-
ample, many of his brother farmers from out the ruts of obso-
lete and unprofitable customs in which they had been plodding
for years, owing to a want of knowledge of and communication
with the world and its improvements."

Curtis Hoppin died at his residence in Lebanon, Novem-
ber 8, 1868, in the 84th year of his age. From his obitu-
ary we learn that " he was an efficient working member of
the Congregational Church for many years, served as one
of its deacons, was a sincere christian, a useful and respected
citizen, a careful business man, a kind and venerated father
and an affectionate husband."

LEBANON. 565

F. B. Hoppin and B. E. Hoppin, his sons, (the last named
now Uving in Lebanon,) have been members of Assembly,
the former elected in the year 185 i, and the latter in 1867.
Henry Palmer came from Windham, Connecticut, at the
ao-e of 24 years, in 18 17, and purchased a large farm on Lot
No. 6, on the north line of the town. Upon this, his fath-
er's family, consisting of parents, five sons, including him-
self and one daughter, settled in 18 18. The family came
all the way from Windham to Lebanon, in Madison county,
with an ox team, in the month of February. Calvin Palmer,
(his father's name,) and his wife, and some of the children
died here. Henry and Ephriam still live on the homestead
farm, which is one of the best in Lebanon. Gurdon Palmer,
another of the brothers, resides near Morrisville. Henry
Palmer, before leaving his native country, Windham, was a
manufacturer of paper, and came to the new country on
account of ill health. He engaged in school teaching soon
after arriving in Madison county, in which occupation he
continued many years, regaining his health, which has con-
tinued to a hale and active old age. He has been Justice
of the Peace for some years, and filled many other town
offices. He was elected Member of Assembly from the
2d District in 1843.

Amos Crocker was another early settler of Lebanon. He
settled the farm now owned by Mrs. Ladd, on the Chenan-
go River road. He removed to Hamilton afterwards and
became a merchant.

Deacon Abram Webster came very early. It is said that
Mr Webster brought in the first wagon that was ever in
this town. Noah Webster, of Spelling Book and Dictionary
fame, was Abram's brother ; his coming here on a visit
when the country was very new, created no little curiosity
in the minds of some, and a great deal of respect and ven-
eration in the minds of those (and they were not a few) who
took pride and pleasure in fostering education.

Richard Taylor, from Lebanon, Conn., was one ot the

566 MADISON COUNTY.

pioneers of this town. He located where his son Henry
Taylor now lives. He reared the first nursery of this sec-
tion of country, from which the old orchards of Lebanon,
and many of those of adjoining towns, were planted. Rich-
ard Taylor spent many years of an active life here, and
died a few years since at an extremely advanced ace. He
was respected for his neighborly qualities, kind heart, and
native good sense.*

All through Lebanon, one fact is noticed ; families who
were established, many of them, more than sixty years
ago, are yet represented by their descendants, a great many
on the original patriarchal homestead. Those substantial
people, whose history is so interwoven with the history of
the farms they have brought out of the wilderness, and with
the annals of the town, whose interests have been identified
with the concerns of society about them, deserve more than
a passing notice. There is sufficient learned to show that
they labored with a will to hew down the wilderness, build
them homes, and to improve society.

When the rough corners of pioneer life had become
rounded, there arose a desire for religious instruction. Peo-
ple who all their lives before coming here had habitually
obeyed the summons of the Sabbath bell, began to feel
yearnings for spiritual sustenance. Accordingly a church
was formed of the Presbyterian order, and early in this cen-
tury this society built a house for worship about one mile
north of the " Centre." This building was afterwards
moved to the " Hollow," and has since been taken down.

In 1806 Elder Matthias Cazier came in from Salem,
Conn., and settled upon land which had been taken up by
Capt. Stevens, near the north west part of the town. Elder
Cazier was a regular graduate of the Congregational school,
and had been the pioneer pastor of Castleton, Vermont, for

*Richard Taylor was sometimes called to serve as petit-juror, in which capacity
he was distinguished for his strong common sense. His son, Henry Taylor, was
drawn in the list of grand-jurors for Lebanon, in 1871, being the first colored man
in Madison County honored by that position.

LEBANON. ^^y

which he received a grant in that State of i6o acres of
land. Rather enjoying the freedom of the pioneer, and still
more desiring the religious freedom which a new country
gave its ministers, lie took up the same labors in Lebanon.
He preached here about twenty-one years, receiving no
compensation, as was usually the case with ministers of this
section at that day. He usually held religious services at
his own house or at school houses. Elder Cazier held to
the liberty of expounding his own views in his sermons,
without reference to the opinions of others, and hence was
denominated an original character. He closed his labors
in 1827, and died soon after.

Simultaneous with the desire for religious improvement,
there developed a strong tendency in favor of education.
The first school, as has been related, was taught by widow
Nancy Campbell. Several were taught in different parts,
in the houses of pioneers, before school houses were built.
Elder Matthias Cazier taught in his house in the winter of
1806-7. Soon, howeve/, in various localities amid the set-
tlements, were log school houses, largely patronized by
the increasing population. At one time, the school in
Campbell's Settlement and that at Webster's Corners, ad-
joining, had each one hundred pupils per day. At a later
period, schools and school houses demanded a great deal of
attention. Among those earnestly engaged in the cause,
the talented and influential John V/. Bulkley was conspicu-
ous. The first frame school house of the town was built in
Smith's Valley, the neighborhood in which Mr Bulkley
spent his last days. There is a bit of history connected
with it : Justus B. Smith sold to this district a half acre of
land, on which to build their school house, for the sum of
sixty dollars ; he then purchased a fine bell, costing sixty
dollars, and gave to the district. The bell was famous, for
there was no other in the country round ; consequently this
was called Bell District. The day is not forgotten when its
clear tones could be heard of mornings far and near, bnng-

568 MADISON COUNTY,

ing in companies of merry children from tlie remotest area
to which it belonged. One day, however, it failed to wake
the echoes of the woodland ; the school hou.-e had caught
fire and burned to the ground, and the old bell was melted
in the fervid heat.

Members of that school in the days long ago, who are
yet living, speak of John W. Bulkley, who, when aged and
broken, and infirmities physical and mental had dimmed
the eye and palsied the hand of this once great man, used
frequently to visit the school to note the progress of the
pupils ; his love for children made many a sunny spot in
his life. They remember him leaning his trembling weight
upon his staff, tears streaming down his furrowed cheeks
as he rises to address the school, and they will give the
closing of his impromptu speech, verbatim, as follows : — " I
am an old man ; the place that knows me now will soon
know me no longer. You are children ; you have a lifetime
before you ; even your small hands can do something
which will prove a blessing, and for which you shall be re-
membered. I say to you children, each, plant a tree ; and
the birds of the heavens will come down and build nests in
their branches ; and you, and your children, and your
children's children will come and rest in the shade thereof
I say children plant a tree." The thoughtless are subdued
and tears are on the cheeks of the listeners as the aged man
leaves the school room. It is not so much his words which
affects them as the impressive voice and manner, the same
which once distinguished him as the eloquent member of
the House of Representatives.

When John W. Bulkley was dead, and his voice was no
more heard among them, they cherished his familiar utter-
ances, and in a few years the yard around that school house
was planted full of trees.

Lebanon in the past has not been ambitious in the matter
of villages. Earlville lies mostly east of the Chenango
River, which is the boundary line between Hamilton and

LEBANON.

569

Lebanon at this place. The south east corner of the town
is the center of the highway at the grist mill, it being the
point where four towns and two counties corner. These
towns are: Smyrna and Sherburne, of Chenango, and
' Hamilton and Lebanon, of Madison County, At Earlville,
within the town of Lebanon, is situated the Midland Rail-
road depot, the grist mill and a few houses. The Syracuse
and Chenango Valley Railroad has its terminus at the Mid-
land here. The admirable situation and the railroad facili-
ties will cause the village to extend in this direction, and a
few years hence marked changes will be witnessed in the
Lebanon side of Earlville,

Thomas Kershaw was one of the early business men of
this place, living on the Lebanon side. He was an Eng-
lishman, who brought into the States the first carding ma-
chine. This, it is said, he smuggled across the ocean, as
the English Government was determined, at that day, that
their manufacturing secrets should not benefit America.
On the river above the present grist mill he built his card-
ing works, and afterwards built a grist mill and saw mill
near. He had a family of seven sons and one daughter.
Himself and sons carried on a large and lively trade in all
these branches of business. The grist mill was subse-
quently purchased by Wm. Felt, and by him was rebuilt on
the present location.

Lebanon Village is situated west of the center about
two miles. Dr. Constant Merrick, Jonathan Thayer, Dane
Bullard, Orsamus Gilbert and Ephraim Gray were the
01 iginal owners of the land and settlers of the village. Jon-
athan Thayer was the first postmaster and the first mer-
chant. He also had a potashery. Israel Thayer was a hat-
ter, and pursued the trade in Lebanon. The Thayers, as a
family, were especially adapted to the mercantile business,
and were the first who successfully established trade in
Lebanon. Sylvester Thayer, son of Jonathan, was prominent
as a merchant in Eaton, as well as in Lebanon. He built

570

MADISON COUNTY.

the present store in Lebanon village about 1833. Orsamus
Gilbert kept the first tavern as early as 1805, and contin-
ued in the business for many years. The present tavern was
built by Horace A. Campbell, for a store, in 1831. About
1834 it was converted into a tavern. When Orrin Thayer,
the last of his family, {the elder Thayers having died,) re-
moved west, the trade in Lebanon passed into other hands.
Hoppin & Lamb were mercantile firms here some years,
and later Avery & Lamb. The present merchant in the
Lamb store is L. B. Pike, Esq.

Lebanon village, nestled in a basin formed at the foot of
extensive hills, and was called the "Hollow." Its indus-
tries are a tannery, saw mill, cheese factory, hotel, store and
postoffice ; there is a blacksmith, wagon maker and gen-
eral mechanic, boot and shoe maker, tailor, dress maker,
milliner, and artisans, such as are usual in villages ; the
Congregational Church, the Union School, and twenty-five
houses. The Syracuse and Chenango Valley Railroad,
which passes directly through the place, has here a good
depot.

The greatest of Madison County's recent enterprises, is
her cheese factories, which began to multiply about 1866.
They are in every dairying district, some towns having as
many as fifteen factories and creameries. The manufacture
of butter and cheese by a scientific process, produces re-
sults sufficiently satisfactory to perpetuate these institutions.
One of the best the county affords is at Lebanon village,
which, during the present season, (1872,) manufactures
18,000 lbs. of milk per day into butter and cheese, while
from six to eight tons of dairy product, per week, have been
shipped from this factory during the season.

From the first settlement of Lebanon, individuals im-
proved the facilities afforded for mills. Besides the grist
mills of the Wheelers in the east part of the town, and that
of Mr. Kershaw, at Earlville, there was a mill built about a
mile southwest of the center at a very early day, that was

LEBANON. 571

re-built of stone about 1857, by J. Paddleford. This is a
good working mill yet, being owned (1869) by C. Nichols.
It is better known, however, as the old Paddleford Mill.

One of the first, if not tlie first cotton factory of Madison
County, was built on the Chenango River, at Middleport,
by a company, in 18 14. Sheetings and printed goods were
made here. Not having machinery for making the first
quality of cloth, they changed to woolen manufactures, in
which they were more successful. This was then one of
the first woolen factories of the county. Pettis & Osgood
once run this mill, whether with wool or with cotton we are
not informed. In their hands, however, considerable busi-
ness was done, eight and ten families being employed.
When this factory was discontinued, it was for a time used
as a store house, and later was converted into a saw
mill.

Middleport, Smith's Valley and Randallsville are pretty
much one and the same — Middleport being the old factory
location, on the east side of the river, and Smith's Valley the
tavern and the store, west of the river, the latter being the
location of the present Randallsville postoffice. Many years
ago, when the country was new, Clark and Dorrance, from
Hamilton, in company with Joshua Smith, kept a store
in the basement of the store house now owned by A. Z.
Kingsley.

What changes are wrought by the lapse of years ! Aged
people tell us of days when their cabins in the wilderness
had no glass windows, and their doors were hung on
wooden hinges and had wooden latches. There was the fire-
place furniture, andirons, pot-hooks and trammels, the crane,
the long-handled frying pan and the baking board. When
the tin baker was introduced it was regarded as a decided
improvement. The shelves of the rude kitchen were
adorned with pewter platters and pewter spoons. The
birch splint broom stood in the corner. The pioneer's
meals were hasty pudding and milk, or pudding and maple

572 MADISON COUNTY.

molasses ; bean porridge, pumpkin johnny-cake, baked in
its wrapping of cabbage leaves, in the ashes hot with coals,
cakes baked on a board before the fire ; "shack fed " pork,
fish and wild game, and potatoes baked in the ashes. As
prosperity rewarded their labors, pumpkin pies, doughnuts,
and bread, both wheat and Indian, baked in brick ovens,
graced the farmer's board. Dress, was altogether of home
manufacture, and for colors the old black sheep and the
blue dye-tub were kept ; witch hazel and butternut bark
gave variety. Sheep's gray, fine pressed blue, the fine
check linen, and linen white, were ruling styles of dress.
The utensils used by the farmers were the old unhandy
plow with wooden mold board, the brushy limb of a tree
for a drag, and the willow wicker-work hand fan for v/innow-
ing grain in the wind.

Small value was set upon farms, or a high value upon
official positions, as the following story shows : — Previous
to 1 82 1, a property qualification was required to enable a
man to vote. The election of 18 15 was likely to be closely
contested, and Wm. S. Smith was on the ticket for Member
of Congress from the 5 th District of this State. Voters
were not plenty in Lebanon, for but few had yet obtained
deeds of their land. Justus B. Smith called on a certain
citizen in his neighborhood and learned that he would vote
for William S., if he only possessed the required freehold.
A deed was duly made out by Justus B., signed and placed
in the man's hands, and William S. Smith received one
more vote, which, possibly, might have cast the die, for he
became the fortunate possessor of the seat in Congress.

Many middle aged men and women may recognize the
following description of a spelling school of forty years ago.
Human nature, the same in all circumstances, ages and
climes, had about the same expression then as it has now.
The story is related as follows : —

It was a clear cold winter night, and there was to be a

LEBANON, cy-j

spelling school in District. The boys and girls came

over the crisp snow crust in little companies, the small
boys brought their sleds and improved every down hill for a
ride. A big load came from the adjoining settlement. The
'familiar old school room was lighted with great motherly
halves of tallow candles, pinned all about on the ceiling with
jack knives. The dignified master seated in the one splint
bottom chair of the room, rapped three times on the cross-
legged table beside him. with his rule. Instantly the
buzzing of voices began to die away ; it was soon all quiet,
the floor cleared, and the seats encircling the room were full.
Presently, "James McComb ! " (we don't give his true
name, as the reader would know him as well as we, and
that is our secret,) called the teacher, " take the right side ! "
Jim, greatly embarrassed came forward, his thick locks of
light hair falling half over his face, his pants tucked in the
tops of thick cowhide boots, and with an ungainly move-
ment took his seat. A feminine voice tittered, and Jim
heard it. Being seated, he raised his head erect and with
a large hand pushed back his hair, revealing a finely formed
forehead and a bright eye, which glanced keenly around ;
He was master of the situation now, for Jim was a capital
speller.

" Mary Cummings, take the left side ! " commanded the
master. Mary didn't titter this time. With a little toss of
her head and a sparkle in her black eyes Mary went grace-
fully across the room. "Girls are never green ; how provok-
ing!" was Jim's mental remark.

The two "captains" now proceeded to "choose sides,"
Jim had the first chance, and deciding to be generous he
called out " Rob Allard !" one of the poorest spellers in
school. Mary's turn came ; she was embarrassed, but her
keen tact enabled her to make a wise choice. Betsey Lee,
a well known scholar, and mistress of" Webster," from among
the guests, was chosen. They went on choosing sides, Ma-
V netting the best and Jim the poorest, till all were drawn.

574

MADISON COUNTY.

Then commenced the battle, mild at first, the little children
o-oing down on easy words, the master now giving a page
here and a line there among little and big words, till all
worth mentioning in Webster's " Elementary" had been
" put out." Jim smiled when Mary stumbled on through her
rendering of u-n un, i-n in unin, t-e-1 tel unintel, 1-i li unintel-
li, g-i gi unintelligi, b-i-1 bil unintelligibil, i unintelligibili, t-y
ty unintelligibility ; and she looked grave when she saw how
promptly he went through with h-a-u-t ho, b-o-y boy, ho-
boy, and many other words of equally difficult orthogra-
phy. During the contest, one by one had fallen out of the
ranks, Mary with the rest. Good looking Rob Allard was
one of the first, and as he slid in behind the standing file
till he came to Olive Leonard and began to whisper to her, it
came near costing Jim his laurels as he was spelling the word
Isaiah, for Olive was the very girl Jim was going to ask to
go home with. The word Deborah fell to the lot of John
Allen. A whole row of boys and girls who were " spell-
ed down," looked knowingly at Deborah Barton, whose
fair face blushed as pink as the ribbons in her hair. John
forgot what he was about and finished the word with r-y ry.
They were all down now but Betsey Lee and Jim. The
two had a pitched battle. The master looked at the can-
dles burning low ; he brought out the hardest words Web-
ster had produced, which he pronounced badly. Mary was
anxious Betsey should win, and undertook to prompt, in
which she misled her friend, and she too was spelled down,
leaving Jim conqueror of the field, which fully compensa-
ted for the fact that Olive Leonard went from the spelling
school leaning on Rob Allard's arm.

Those famous spelling schools of which the above is but
a sample, performed their part of the work in educating the
men of the past generation. The hero of the above sketch
subsequently attained to an honored position in business
and political circles.

LEBANON. 575

There has been among Lebanon's citizens, from the first,
many men of public spirit, who have encouraged progress
and invited improvements. To essay to enumerate these
would result in failure, owing to imperfect data ; but some
names occur so often in statements made of progress, that
we feel impressed to name them in this connection : The
Thayers, progressive and prominent men for a long time ;
Moses Wylie, a popular teacher, a useful and efficient
town officer, who, it is believed, possessed, at one time,
greater influence in Lebanon than any other one man ;
Squire John Sheldon, frequently serving in official posi-
tions, discharging all duties with marked ability, useful and
influential ; and William Felt, wealthy and popular, — all of
whom are now deceased. Some, now living, in their days of
vigorous prime, served in official public places faithfully
and advanced the interests of this town. Among these we
see Squire David Clark, of Earlville, often public officer,
who was Supervisor, Justice of the Peace, &c.,for the town,
and Member of Assembly in i860, for the Second District ;
and Squire Henry Palmer, a frequent town officer, and also
Member of Assembly. Younger men have now stepped in-
to the ranks, whose clear practical brains are engineering
the car of progress, and they are doing their work well.

Probably not a town in the county presents a smaller
per centage of pauperism on the poor records, than this, or
a less per centage on the criminal records. True independ-
ence and thrift characterizes the homes of this agricultural
town.

During the last thirty years, here as in some other towns,
population has fallen off". This is owing chiefly to its being
an inland town. Many men of ambition and public spirit
have been attracted from their homes to engage their tal-
ents and skill in business marts on the great thoroughfares.
To the want of facilities for transporting the product- of
the soil and manufactures, may be attributed the great hin-
dernnce to enterprise heretofore, and not to any degeneracy

e^y^ MADISON COUNTY.

in the soil, want of natural manufacturing facilities, or of
energy in the inhabitants.

John W. Bulkley was one of the early distinguished
men of Madison County. His native place was Colchester,
Conn. He came into this country about 1797, as a Survey-
or, and in that capacity was an expert. He was emphatic-
ally a practical man, and sought to correct many errors that
had found place in the mind of the plodding settler. He
desired the elevation of the people and labored for the edu-
cation of the masses.

He was a man who immediately gave confidence in his
abilities, and soon after his settlement here he was made
Justice of the Peace. In 1801, he was one of the members
of the Convention for revising the Constitution of this
State, being, with Stephen Hoxie, delegate from Chenango
County. In 1808, John W. Bulkley was elected Member of
Assembly from Madison County, and was returned to that
office by his constituents, four consecutive terms. In Leg-
islature his influence was remarkable. It was stated by
Judge Knowles, of Chittenango, that there was a time
when it was impossible to get a bill through legislature if
Squire Bulkley opposed it.

John W. Bulkley was fond of agricultural pursuits. On
his farm (known as the " Frank Farm " from being in the
care of Jerry Frank, a colored man he brought with him
from the south,) he tested many an agricultural theory.
Here he originated the famous "Strawberry apple." From a
tree he grew from the seed on his Earlville farm, and trans-
planted to this, he produced, by grafting, the above named
apple. It was called the " Bulkley apple," and then the
"Chenango Strawberry."

When Mr. Bulkley closed his last term in the Legislature,
he carried a bundle of scions from this tree, to Albany, and
distributed them among his numerous friends. These be-
ing carried home and used by the members from nearly

LEBANON.

577

every county, the Strawberry apple became prevalent and
popular, simultaneously, in all sections of New York
State.

John W. Bulkley was a man of scholarly attainments.
He possessed a fine address, and his manner commanded
attention and respect. He was personally attractive ; every
movement evinced a sound physical and a marked mental
organization.

CHURCHES.

TJie Baptist Church of Lebanon was formed June 26,
1 8 16, at a council convened at the barn of Z. Benedict,
there being then no other building of sufficient capacity to
hold so large a meeting. The society formed then con-
sisted of twenty-seven members. Elder Thomas Jeril
was ordained on that day, and became their first pastor.
About 1 8 19, the house of worship was built about a mile
north of the Center.

TJie Congregational Church of Lebanon. The society
was formed in 1802, by Rev. Ezra Wood worth. The first
Deacons were Abram Webster and John C. Wagoner. The
meeting house was built at the Center in 1802, and was re-
moved to the village in 1839.

There is a Universalist Church, also built at an early day,
which stands near the Center. Meetings are occasionally
held there.

K2

578 MADISON COUNTY.

CHAPTER XII

MADISON.

Boundaries. — Notices of Topography. — Evidences of Indian Oc-
cupation.— Sir William Pultney's Purchase. — Agents. — Sale
of Lands to Companies and Settlers. — Names of Pioneers
and their Places of Location. — Incidents of Primitive Jour-
neying and of Pioneer Life. — First Improvements. — Pirst
Taverns, Mills, &c.— " Indian Opening."— First " 4th of July "
Celebration. — Cherry Valley Turnpike. — Madison Village. —
Bouckville. — Solsville. — Chenango Canal. — Noted Events of
Early Days. — Prominent Men. — Churches.

The town of Madison lies on the east border of the
County, south of the center. It is bounded north by
Stockbridge and Augusta, east by Sangerfield and Brook-
field, south by Hamilton, and west by Eaton. Its princi-
pal stream is the Oriskany Creek, the source of one of its
branches, and one of those of the Chenango, being in this
town. Madison Brook Reservoir, one of the feeders of the
Chenango Canal, is situated near the south part of the
town ; it covers an area of 235 acres, is 45 feet deep, and
has a feeder two miles long. The Chenango Canal passes
through the town northwest of the center, bearing in a
northeasterly and southwesterly direction. Nearly the
entire length of the summit level of this Canal is in the
town of Madison. The Utica, Clinton & BinghamLon
Railroad, crosses the same section of the town, and is all
the way contiguous to the Canal. The soil of the town is a
gravelly loam in the valleys, and clayey loam upon the hills ;

MADISON. cyQ

the deepest and most extensive deppsits of gravel-drift in
the county, are found in the eastern part of this town, beincr
near Madison village, one hundred feet deep. The general
surface of the township is diversified between undulating
valley and rolling upland. Marl deposits are found in some
places. Says Guerdon Evans : (Trans. Ag. Soc, p. 762.)

"The small pond (Little Lake,) in Madison, has filled up with
marl deposits on one side as much as twenty rods within fifty
years ; and the beach on the side where the filling up has taken
place is composed entirely of white marl and shells ; so it is
said by the inhabitants who have resided here for more than
fifty years. The reason why the accumulation has occurred,
appears to be that the pond is sheltered on all sides by a gravel
bank about 80 feet high, so that as the shells rise to the surface
they are always floated to the side of the outlet, instead of being
driven to all sides, as is often the case where the surface is
exposed to winds from various directions. At the rate that this
pond has filled up for the last fifty years, it will, in the course of
two hundred years be quite obliterated, provided the same cause
continues to operate."

From the prominent bights of the Stockbridge and
Eaton range of hills, overlooking the point where the
Oriskany and Chenango valleys diverge, where the little
lakes abound, whose outlets are only kept from taking one
course by the almost imperceptible rise of the summit level,
is a most beautiful view of the lengthened basin, formed by
the oppositely extending valleys. From the Eaton bights,
particularly, the undulating country bordering the Oriskany
is revealed in its most perfect contour ; it appears to the
observer to be a broad valley, lying visible to the eye far
toward the Mohawk, with the range of hills on either side
sloping towards each other ; but as we follow the course of
the Oriskany, what had seemed a valley is but a lengthy
undulating plateau, rising and extending back southward
from the cour^^e of the creek, forming a goodly portion of
the fair territory of the town.

The ancient race of the Oneida Nation, held all this
territory in the ages past ; the lofty bights of their famous
"Council Ground" held a commanding view of the pros-

58o

MADISON COUNTY.

pect of valley and hillside, and woodland broken here and
there by sheeny lakes. Centuries ago, many a path down
the Stockbridge hillsides came winding around and among
those nestling lakes, where the red men fished in summer
for aces. An ancient map shows a path following the
Oriskany a distance, then diverging in the direction of
Fort Herkimer, (east of Utica,) which was traversed oc-
casionally in the early part of the eighteenth century by
adventurous white men, and which had been for many
years a frequented path of the "Six Nations." Near Madi-
son Lake lay an opening in the heavy forest, where, years
before white men saw it, luxurious Indian corn throve in the
full sunshine, cultivated by the dusky Oneidas ; here the
native women gathered it, in the contiguous waters the men
fished, the half nude children meanwhile rolling upon the
beach or playing under the shade of the luxurious oaks.
But in time, having yielded their right to this territory, the
Indian saw this with other cherished localities pass into
other hands ; the handsome location, the charming scenery,
attracted the pioneers, and naturally enough the " Indian
Opening," as it was called, became the first location for a
concentrated settlement.

Madison was originally No. 3, of the "Chenango Twenty
Townships," and was alsj included in the town of Paris,
until March 5 th, 1795, when Hamilton was organized ;
thereafter for twelve years it was embraced in the town of
Hamilton. February 6th, 1809, Madison was formed from
Hamilton ; it was named in honor of President Madison.
It embraced an area of 22,500 acres. The first town
officers elected, were : — Erastus Cleaveland, Supervisor ;
Jonathan Pratt, Israel Rice, Ephraim Blodgett, Assessors ;
Silas Patrick, Constable and Collector ; Joseph Curtis,
Pound Keeper. At this first meeting it was voted that the
next town meeting be holden in the Center Meeting House.
It was accordingly held there in 1808, and the following-
town officers were chosen for that year : — Erastus Cleave-

MADISON.

581

land, Supervisor ; Jonathan Pratt, Seth Blair, John White,
Assessors ; Isaac Thompson, Seth Snow, Amos Burton,
Commissioners of Highways ; Russel Barker, Esq., and
John T. Burton, Overseers of the Poor ; Daniel Barber, Con-
stable and Collector. It was voted at this meeting that
widows be exempt from highway taxes.

When Gov. George Clinton, in 1788, made the memorable
purchase of the Chenango-Twenty-Towns, land speculators
immediately turned their attention to this region. English
noblemen as well as Dutch Patroons were making extensive
purchases in different parts of the State. "Sir William
Pultney,* of the County of Middlesex, in the United King-
dom of Great Britain and Ireland, Baronet," as the old
deeds particularize, became one of the princely land
holders of this country about the year 1792, and purchased
at least three of the Chenango Townships, of which Madi-
son was one. Robert Troup, his agent and attorney in this,
country, who took up his residence in the western part of
the State, opened the lands of Township No. 3, to settlers
under the immediate direction of his agent, Benjamin
Walker, who acted in this capacity till his death, about 18 15.
Upon the death of Sir William Pultney in 1806, his vast
estates here passed into the hands of " Sir James Pultney,
of Middlesex County, Kingdom of Great Britain and
Ireland, and Henrietta Laura, Countess of Bath, the wife of
Sir James Pultney." Subsequently, and before the Madison
lands were all sold, they fell to other heirs, named in transfers
as Ernest Augustus, Duke of Cumberland, David Cathcart,
(commonly called Lord Alloway,) Masterton Ure and Char-
lotte Johnstone.f On the decease of Benjamin Walker, Rob-

*A noted English Whig. He purchased a million and a quarter of acres of
Robert Morris, in the western part of this State. It comprised nearly all of
Steuben, Yates and Ontario Counties, the east range of townships in Allegany,
and the principal part of Livingston, Monroe and Wayne Counties.

f The western estates of Sir William Pultney passed through the Duke of
Cumberland and Sir John Louther Johnstone, to William, Earl of Craven, who
with other citizens of Great Britain were owners of that portion lying in Livmg-
iton County, not sold as late as 1862.

^§2 MADISON COUNTY.

ert Troup, having never been in Madison, sent on hand bills
appointing a public meeting to be held at the hotel of Sam-
uel Goodwin, Esq., in Madison village. At this meeting
"he stated to the holders and purchasers of the lands, the
fact of the liability of its being sold by the heirs of Sir
William Pultney, who were in debt to the merchants and
mechanics of the city of London to the amount of two
million dollars. At this time the most of the settlers still
held their farms only by contract from Benjamin Walker.
Robert Troup now offered to take up these old contracts
and give them new ones in his own name, acknowledging
all that had been paid and endorsed on the old contracts,
and would, to the best of his ability, adapt future payments
to the circumstances of each. The measures carried out
by Troup were conspicuously honorable in comparison with
the unjust course pursued in many sections of the State by
dishonest agents and land speculators, who, taking advan-
tage of insecure titles or the necessities of the settlers,
compelled them to pay twice for the farms they had re-
deemed from the wilderness, and the people of Madison ap-
preciated the scrupulous fairness and kindness of their
landlord, who often threw off interest^ sometimes accepted
half a payment, and in numberless ways evinced a desire
to give the people a fair start. He visited Madison yearly,
and the general prosperity steadily increased.

As early as 1791, prospecting companies came into this
town. Thomas Dick, James White and Thomas McMullen,
(or Millen, as it is now written,) from Massachusetts, came
in that year to "look land." They first reached Paris, and
made their way Irom there to Township No. 3, by marked
trees. On arriving they found the continuous forest pre-
vented a view of the country ; so each selected a tree on
East Hill and ascended it, from which elevated position
they were enabled to get a tolerably extensive view of the
town, then covered with a luxurious growth of fine timber.
These men (afterwards settlers of the town,) returned east

MADISON.

583

with a good report, which induced others to come out the
ensuing year.

In 1792, Solomon Perkins, from Kennebec, Maine, di-
rected his course to the western lands. When he reached
the Stockbridge settlement of Indians, he desired them to
show him land where grain would grow, informing them
that he had come from a cold country and wished to find
land where he could raise wheat and corn. They described
to him the Madison lands, then for sale, and one of the In-
dians, Capt. Pye, offered to be his guide. He led the way
by a path through the woods, some fourteen miles, to the
head, or south side of Madison Lake. Mr. Perkins was
pleased with the land and its location, and took up five or
six hundred acres. He built a small house, and returned to
Maine for his family. Early the next year, with his wife and
four children, Mr. Perkins came and took up his abode in
the home he had thus provided. More than three months
of solitary forest life passed away, without their once look-
ing upon the face of a white neighbor, when they were
gladdened by the intelligence (through a native,) that a
white family had settled in their vicinity. Mrs. Perkins de-
termined to visit them immediately. She set out, and after
following a winding path through the dense woods, marked
by blazed trees, for a distance of more than two miles, she
reached the family of Jesse Maynard, who had taken up a
farm on Lot No. 45, about one mile south of Madison vil-
lage. The two women, though strangers, were happy to
meet, as may be supposed ; and this first visit made in
town, after the fashion of New England matrons, by the
only white women within its boundaries, was recorded in
the hearts of each as one of the pleasantest of their
lives.

The town was divided into quarters, and large tracts
were sold off at once to companies or individuals, as the
case might be.

In 1793, many came to locate. Among these were Wil-

584

MADISON COUNTY.

Ham and David Blair, who located in the northeast corner
of the southwest quarter. Also, at this period a company-
was formed in Rhode Island, who sent on their agents,
chief of whom was Capt. Gilbert Tompkins, to make the
purchase. They selected the southwest quarter, which
contained twenty-five lots, and made the purchase of Ben-
jamin Walker. Two of these lots having been sold to the
Blairs, the deed, which is recorded in the Chenango County
Clerk's Office, bearing date March 27, 1797, describes
only twenty-three lots. As a compensation for the two
lots, the same quantity of land was set off" to them in the
southeast quarter, being duly purchased by the company.
It is said that the members of this company drew lots for
their shares. This was thereafter denominated the
"Rhode Island Quarter." Eight families of this company,
from Little Compton, R. I., consisting of about forty per-
sons, came on the following year to occupy their lands. The
names of some of these were : Gideon and Benjamin Sim-
mons, Samuel Brownell, Samuel Coe, George and Charles
Peckham, Zarah Simmons, and perhaps his son George.
Benjamin Simmons located on Lot No. 75 ; Brownell where
Sidney Putnam now resides ; Zarah Simmons on Lot No.
22, where Sandford Gardiner now lives, and George Sim-
mons where Dea. Whitcomb lived for many years. Samuel
Coe settled near the Center, the Peckhams southwest of the
Center.

Capt. Gilbert Tompkins, from Westport, R. I., at the time
of his coming in 1792, took up Lot 84, which was situated
on the east side of the reservoir. There he cleared off
several acres and put up a log house, with the design of
moving his family the next season, but after returning to
Rhode Island, inducements of a pecuniary nature kept him
for fifteen years longer in the coast trade business. Never-
theless, during those years his influence was exerted in
helping others to settle here by advancing means, and in
assisting in making the purchase of homes. Capt. Tomp-

MADISON.

585

kins finally moved his family to Madison in 1808, and be-
came established on the lot he first took up. He had a
family of ten children ; one son, Rev. Wm. B. Tompkins,
became a Congregational minister ; another, Dea. Phillip
Tompkins, remains on the old homestead. Capt. Gilbert
Tompkins died at the age of 82.

A number of farms had been taken in the northeast
quarter as early as 1793. In 1794, Samuel Clemmons, from
Massachusetts, purchased largely of this quarter. He settled
here, built a house and kept entertainment, especially for those
who came to "look land." Like many another landholder
in those times, he was a shrewd man in deal and traffic. It
was remarked (perhaps enviously) that those who came to
purchase land were treated by him to the best entertain-
ment the country afforded, at little or no charge, having the
sale of his own land in view.

Mr, Thomas Millen, (before mentioned,) from Pelham,
Mass., who with his family settled in 1795, on one of the
center lots of the town, was also a large purchaser in the
northeast quarter. Mr. Millen was one of the earliest sing-
ing school teachers of the town. He possessed a superb
voice, and had a large, handsome form. It is said that all
of his family were of large size and of great physical
strength.

Henry Bond and Elijah Blodgett took the northwest

quarter, purchasing of Benjamin Walker, Many of those

to whom the firm of Bond & Blodgett sold lands were from

Stratford, Conn. This firm remained in town but a few

years, and some of the settlers, among them William and

James McClenathan, were compelled to pay for their farms

a second time to the agent, Blodgett is said to have been

the first surveyor in town ; early surveys, however, were

made by Gen. Salter, by White, and by Broadhead, those

of the last named being the standard surveys here, as well

as in other parts of the county.

Gen. ErastusCleaveland, in company with a friend,reached

586 MADISON COUNTY.

Whitestown early in the summer of 1792 ; from that point
they directed their course by marked trees to Madison.
When within a mile of the Center, they found a cabin oc-
cupied by a family, of whom they asked'refreshmentsand per-
mission to remain over night ; when the people told them
they had themselves arrived only the day before, and were
obliged to go back to Paris immediately, fifteen miles, for
provisions. The latter, therefore, directed the travelers on
to the Center, informing them they would find a family
there who had been in a week. They arrived there — at
Jesse Maynard's — in time for supper, remained over night,
and next day returned to Whitestown by way of Augusta.
The impression Mr. Cleaveland received on this visit in-
duced him to return to Madison in the spring of 1793.

Although but twenty-three years of age, his active brain
planned the course which should bring prosperity to him-
self and to the inhabitants round about. He purchased a
farm on the Oriskany Creek, about one mile below Solsville,
where his first work was to erect a small log house. Being
a carpenter, he built a saw mill on the creek with but little
assistance from others, which was running in the summer
of 1794. During the winter following he was married. A
romantic incident is related pertaining to this eventful era
of his life : — At the time of his first coming to Madison in
1792, he went from here to Whitestown, where he spent
the summer, employed at the carpenter and joiner trade,
and in the fall returned to his home in Norwich, Conn.
As he drew near his native place, he stopped in the adjoin-
ing town to remain for the night, where, with a young man
he had formerly known, he attended a singing school. In
the gay spirits of youth it was agreed between them that
Cleaveland should select the best looking girl he should see
there and offer his company home. On arriving at the
school, his rather critical eye ranged keenly over the
company of fair young ladies till it rested upon a dark eyed
brunette, a lady of very superior manner and attractive

MADISON. 587

appearance. On an introduction, their acquaintance rapidly
progressed, and according to pre-arrangement Cleaveland
accompanied her home. From this beginning of an
acquaintance with Miss Rebecca Berry, a mutual afifection
ripened which resulted in their marriage, as before stated.
Mrs. Cleaveland was a woman every way worthy of highest
praise, and her husband with pride awarded to her the
merit of assisting, in a great degree, toward their subse-
quent prosperity. The uncouth surroundings of his forest
home, the meagre comforts, the absence of refinements, in
which he would have gladly placed his wife, weighed upon
his spirits, which the brave-hearted woman, by her admir-
able tact, dispelled by one significant act. He was one
evening wakling along with bowed head, wearied with
labor, and wearing a despondent air, when he was suddenly
aroused from his sombre revery by the presence of the
bright face of his wife. She laid her hand upon his arm and
said "Look up, Erastus, look up ! never look down again ! "
The cheerful, resolute voice and face had the desired effect.
Henceforth, with firm courage and faith in himself and in
the counsels of his companion, he went earnestly into the
battle of life and his onward course was one of prosperity.

During the summer of 1795, Mr. Cleaveland built the
first grist mill in Madison, so widely and so long known as
" Cleaveland's Mill," which stood on the site now occupied
by Wheeler & Tyler's Mill, east of Solsville on the Orisk-
any Creek. While building this mill he kept his saw mill
running, and from the tall hemlocks which grew around his
home, manufactured lumber which sold readily to the set-
tlers for five dollars per thousand, from which income his
workmen were paid, as work on the new mill progressed ;
and at its completion, with a lucrative business awaiting
him, he was fairly entered upon the direct road to wealth,
which he won in a few years.*

Gideon Simmons one of the pioneers of the Rhode

* See sketch of Erastus Cleaveland under the head of Prominent Men.

588 MADISON COUNTY.

Island Company, located in the southwest quarter. He had"
a family of seven children and lived a long life in Madison,
dying at the ripe age of 96.

Benjamin Simmons had his farm a mile or more south ot
the Center, where his son Benjamin now resides. In jour-
neying to this section he came by way of Paris Hill, where
he left his family, consisting of a wife and four children,
with a friend living there, till he could go to Madison and
put up a bark covered cabin that would shelter them
through his summer's work, intending in the fall to build
more comfortably. During the stay of his family at his
friend's, one of his children sickened and died. The next
two days after this sad event he spent in journeying to
Madison, with an ox team and cart, over the miserable
route through the woods, and though only fifteen miles, it
was a journey of sore weariness, sadness and discourage-
ment. The first season of his residence here he obtained
his grain at Paris, and the time occupied in getting a grist
ground and home to his family was three days, employed
in this wise : — First, he went on foot to Paris and bought
his grain, then to his friend's for a horse to take it
to mill, and from there home, so much occupying two days ;
the third was spent in returning the horse and getting
back home. By perseverance, the next year found him in
better circumstances, and in a few years he became a pros-
perous farmer and an influential citizen.

George and Charles Peckham, young men who came late
the same year, {1794,) took up land southwest of the Cen-
ter. They chopped and cleared a few acres during the
winter months, and in the spring returned to Rhode Island.
It is stated that on the day of their departure, the 8th of
May, 1795, the leaves on the trees in Madison were out in
full size. The next year they came back, and after a time
their aged father, George Peckham joined them. Both of
these brothers married and reared families here.

Stephen F. Blackstone was one of the pioneers of Caze-

MADISON. ego

novia, being one of the company with Mr. Lincklaen. He
was afterwards induced to settle in Madison, where he at-
tained a position of influence. He, as well as many others,
was subjected to the privations incident to pioneer life.
He built his own log house, and it is said that in the pro-
cess of its construction, he was necessitated to travel six
miles, to James McClenathan's, to borrow an augur to bor
the holes for his wooden hinges, before he could hang a
door.

Joseph Head came from Rhode Island in 1796, and took
up land about half a mile southwest of the Center. He
was a Quaker, and a worthy citizen. He, also, had a large
family. One of his sons. Pardon Head, represented this
district in the Assembly in 1832. Nicanor Brown, from
Massachusetts, came, probably, as early as 1794, and took
up land in the north part of the town, but afterwards went
to the southeast quarter. A daughter of his, Sally Brown,
was the first white child born in town. James Collister
came in 1793.

Seth Snow was one of the first settlers of the northeast
quarter. The first apple tree set out in the town, Seth
Snow brought on his back from the Indian orchard in
Stockbridge ; the same tree was standing in 1869, on Squire
Samuel White's place. Mr. Snow also built the first brick
house in town, on the turnpike two miles east of the village.
Rev. Simeon Snow was a brother of Seth Snow, and was
one of the first ministers in town.

Abiel Hatch came in 1795, and settled one mile south-
east of the village.

Samuel Rowe came from Farmington, Conn., about 1794,
and settled on Lot 13, where Dea. Matthew R. Burnham,
now resides.

Elijah Thompson came from Charlestown,Mass.,in March,
1795, He moved to Madison on a sled drawn with oxen,
bringing his wife and six children. He bought of William
Blair in the southwest quarter. To procure the necessary

590 MADISON COUNTY.

supply of groceries and store goods, Mr. Thompson manufac-
tured potash and transported it to market. He was a
Revohitionary soldier, in the Artillery service during six
years of that eventful period. At the first Fourth of July
celebration in Madison village in 1808, he was selected to
take charge of the artillery firing.

There were three of the Maynard brothers : — Jesse, the
pioneer of 1792, who resided in town but a few years ;
Amos, a young man, who afterwards married and settled
near the Center, on the same lot with Jesse ; and Moses,
who came some years later with his family, and finally set-
tled near Bouckville. Amos Maynard was the first Military
Captain in town, served through the war of 18 12, and rose
to the rank of Colonel. He is remembered as an officer of
splendid military bearing and presence. We remark here
that the sword carried by Capt. Maynard during the war,
became, and is still, the property of Mr. Orrin Chase, of
Eaton, who was a Captain of Milita. Moses Maynard,
distinguished himself in various ofificial capacities, and
was one of the chief projectors of the Chenango Canal.

Eliphalet House, with his son Eliphalet, jr., came from
East Windsor, Conn., to Eaton in 1795. The sickness
then prevailing in Eaton, caused them to change their loca-
tion to the " Indian Opening."

Gideon Lowell came from Maine to Madison, perhaps as
early as 1796. Israel Rice came from Worcester, Mass.,
in 1795, and bought in the east part of the town, where
now his son, Francis Rice, resides, — Lot No. 32. James
and Alexander White came also in 1795, and bought land
joining Rice on the southwest. John White, a brother of
James and Alexander, came from near Northampton, Mass.,
in 1796, and purchased a 100 acre lot of Samuel Clemmons,
for $400, now owned by his son Alexander White. Samuel
White took a piece of land on the hill, on Lot 3 1. He and
his wife lived to be upwards of ninety years of age, and
died within a few weeks of each other. The three brothers.

MADISON. ^QI

John, Samuel and Thomas White, moved their families
from Massachusetts together, in the winter of 1797, using
sleds and a team of fourteen oxen. On account of a thaw,
after setting out, they found bare ground some of the way,
and on reaching the Hudson river at Albany, found the
water so much raised that they were forced to get boards
and bridge some twelve feet from the shore to the ice on
either side of the river, before crossing. The poor sleigh-
ing and bare ground much of the way for upwards of twenty
miles westward from Albany, so wore upon the wooden
shoes of their sleds that they were compelled to stop, un-
load their goods, and put on new ones. The timber used
for sled shoes was from the hardest that the forest pro-
duced, such as oak, hickory and iron-wood. In spite of
these and other delays, they arrived in Madison the last of
February.

Calvin Whitcomb was an early settler. He kept tavern
a few years south or southwest of the Center. Russel
Barker, who had a large family, settled in the southeast
quarter, at what date we have not been able to ascertain.
Warham Williams, from Brantford, Conn., came at the same
time with Russell Barker. Paul Hazzard came early, and
took up land where his two sons, Oliver and Russel, now
reside, — Lot 55. Mr. Hazzard was a near relative of
Commodore Oliver Hazzard Perry, of Lake Erie notoriety
in the war of 18 12. Nathaniel Johnson, from Worcester,
Mass., came in 1796. Abizar and David Richmond, broth-
ers, came to Madison in 1795. They were originally
from Massachusetts, but had lived in Fairfield, Herkim.er
Co., a few years before coming here. Abizar bought in the
southeast quarter, where his son Merrick Richmond now
lives. David purchased in the southwest quarter, where he
lived till his death, which occurred December 23, 1864.
He attained the great age of 90 years. The Richmonds
were fine men and good citizens.

David Peebles, another worthy citizen, came from Pel-

592 MADISON COUNTV.

ham, Mass., to the northeast quarter, quite early. Sylves-
ter Woodman, from Rhode Island, came early to the so^ith-
west quarter, and took up the farm where his grandson,
George B. Woodman, now lives — Lot 77 or 78. William
Sandford came in 1797, also to the southwest quarter.
Benjamin Chapman settled in the southeast quarter ; he
was a respected citizen.

Many of the settlers of the northwest quarter were from
Stratford, Conn. The road which was early laid out through
their settlement, was called Stratford St., in memory of their
native town, by which name the street is known to this
day.

Solomon Root, from the eastern part of this State, settled
in the northwest quarter in 1806. He was one of Madi-
son's most influential citizens ; alike respected as a business
man, a promoter of good morals, a friend of law and order,
of justice and religion ; he was a christian in the true sense.
It may be mentioned here, that the Rev. T. Pearn, so long
known as one of the pioneer Methodist preachers of Ore-
(Ton, was a son-in-law of Mr. Root. Mr. Root's death took
place in Madison, Jan. 5, 1859, at the age of 86 years.

Justus ^oot, a brother of Solomon, arrived in town some
later than his brother, and settled in the same vicinity, near
the town line west of Bouckville. His death occured at
the original homestead, now owned by his son-in-law, Mr.
F. Tooke, about 1867.

John Root, a younger brother of the two preceding,
came into town with or soon after Justus, married here, and
was settled near his brothers for a few years ; then removed
to the Genesee country, but returned in a short time to
Madison. At a late date he was still living in the State of
Michigan, in the home he had hewn from the wilderness,
since the frosts of age came upon his temples. Each ot
these brothers had a large family, yet we learn of but one
in town now (1870,) bearing the name. Thus (as did their
fathers before them,) have many of the descendants of the

MADISON.

593

Madison pioneers yielded the parental hearthstone, the old
time " vine and fig-tree," to the tread of the stranger, and
gone forth into the world to become in their turn, founders
of homes and fortunes of their own, great or small ; the
sites of the dwellings in which they were born — the fruit
trees, shrubbery and flowers surrounding — the broad fields of
the farm and the remnant of old woods beyond, all developed
by the toil of their fathers and mothers, little by little, from
the primeval forest, into homes that gave them sustenance
and protection through the intervening years, from the cra-
dle to adult age — know them no more. It may be that
these brief, fragmentary annals only will preserve their fam-
ily names to the future, among the honored who were first
to plant civilization amid the former wilds of this now fair
territory, teeming with progress.

George and Robert McCune came at quite an early date,
and bought where Sandford Peckham now lives, a half mile
west of Solsville. Stephen Woodhull, from Stratford, also
came in early and settled a half mile west of Madison vil-
lage, where his son, Aaron Woodhull, now resides — Lot
No. 37. William and James McClenathan were among the
earlier settlers here. They selected their farms on the hill
in the northwest quarter, which is to this day called " Mc-
Clenathan Hill." The opinion was prevalent here, as in
other localities at an early day, that hill land was the most
valuable as well as the most healthy, and it is true that
there was much weak, cold soil here, as elsewhere in the
lowlands.

Samuel Collister and Seth Blair arrived in March, 1798.
Mr. Blair was from Worcester County, Mass. He pur-
chased in the southeast quarter, where his son Seth, now
(1869,) resides, a half mile south of the Center, on Lot
No. 66. Soon after his arrival he built a frame house,
which still stands, and is a part of the present dwelling.
Seth Blair, sen., was a Revolutionary soldier, having en-
tered the service at the age of sixteen. He was a worthy

L2

594

MADISON COUNTY.

respected citizen, and died in 1852, in the ninety-second
year of his age. He was the last but one of the Revoki-
tionary veterans of the town of Madison.

Judson W. Lewis, from Stratford, Connecticut, came in
1797, and purchased Lot No. 19, where Leroy Curtis now
resides. Mr. Lewis' six sons and two daughters came into
town at or near the same time. Their names were : —
Silas, Whiting, Charles, William, Isaac, Conway, Betsey
and Catharine, Charles, however, did not arrive till 1799,
when he purchased a mile and a half north of Solsville.
All of these eight childen had families in town, and several
of the members still reside here.

Nehemiah Thompson, also from Stratford, arrived in
1797, and bought Lot 17, (on Stratford Street,) where Ran-
som Curtis now lives. Robert Curtis, from Stratford,
bought part of his land of Nehemiah Thompson. Peter
Tyler came also in or about the year 1797, and purchased
where Hon. J. W. Lippett now resides, also on Lot 17. Jo-
seph Curtis, from Stratford, arrived in 1798, and took up a
farm on the north line of the town on Lot No. 4, where
George Lewis now lives. Daniel Warren, from Royalston,
Worcester County, Mass., came soon after 1798, and pur-
chased a part, or all of Lot No. 4. He soon removed to Au-
gusta. Samuel and Timothy Curtis, also from Stratford,
located on Stratford street, we believe, about the last named
date.

Joseph Manchester, from Tiverton, R. L, came to Madi-.
son in 1798,* and bought land in the southwest quarter, —
Lots 96 and 97. He lived to his eighty-second year. Af-
ter his decease, his son Gideon, occupied the place for
many years. At this date (1869), the property is owned
by his grandson, William T. Manchester, of Hamilton.

The first year and more of Joseph Manchester's resi-
dence here, he was obliged to carry his grain to mill at
New Hartford on his back. On one occasion he took a

* Think it must be earlier.

MADISON. egc

bushel to mill in this manner, and while on his toilsome
way home bearing his grist through the gloomy forest, a
heavy thunder shower arose, making the approaching dark-
ness of night grow blacker, so that it became impossible to
proceed, and although not more than a mile from home he
was compelled to remain in the woods till morning. On
arriving at home, he found that during his absence a fero-
cious bear had visited his premises, and in spite of the ef-
forts of his hired man, who, with a hoe as his only weapon,
had endeavored to drive away the intruder. The beast
had taken his only one hog from the pen and bore it
away.

Job Manchester settled early in the southwest quarter,
on Lot 57. He was one of the company from Rhode Is-
land. He spent the remainder of his years on this farm,
when it passed to his son William, who also spent a useful
life on the same location, and was succeeded by his son, L.
B. Manchester. Ichabod Manchester located in town
some two or three years after Joseph. He lived to be
nearly eighty years of age. Thomas Dick, one of the
three who came to "look land" in 1791, arrived in town with
his family, to settle, in 1797. He purchased Lot 55, one
mile east of the Center, where the Hazzards now reside.
He was from Pelham, Massachusetts.

Gilbert Stebbins, from Wilbraham, Mass., came in 1799,
and located in the southeast quarter. He was a most
worthy and influential citizen. His brother Harvey came
about three years later and took up land where his son,
DeLonna Stebbins now lives. Lot No. 92.

Reuben Brigham came into Madison, March 4, 1799,
and purchased the farm took up by Abner Bellows, situated
half a mile south of the Augusta line, on the road running
due north from Solsville to Augusta Center. He was
born in Sudbury, Middlesex Co., Mass., September 23,
1769, attended the common school of his native place in his
youth, and was then sent to and in due time graduated at

5^6 MADISON COUNTY.

the oldest college in the United States — Harvard Univer-
sity, at Cambridge, Mass. From a diary kept by him, now
three-fourths of a century old, and so dim with age that it
is in good part illegible, we learn that in 1794 he taught
school at Newton, Mass. In 1796 he came west, as we
learn from the same record, and taught school at Saratoga
Springs. He subsequently came to Madison at the period
above named, and settled permanently upon the Bellows'
farm. Here there was but a small clearing when he came
in possession, but within it was a log house and barn, and
a young orchard planted. Many of the apple trees of this
orchard are still standing and in bearing condition.

The following quaint certificate is found among the
ancient looking papers left by Mr. Brigham : —

" Sudbury, Jan'y 8th, 1793.
Thefe certify that the subfcriber suppofes the Bearer, Reuben
Brigham, is a perfon of good moral character and thuj tjr
qualified to teach a School.

by Jacob Biglow, Minifter of Sadbury."

Mr. Brigham remained upon his farm during his life time
and was ordinarily successful as a farmer ; but like other?,
he had to encounter many hardships and endure serious
privations during the first few years. In illustration, we
mention a fact : — When he came here to settle he had a
wife and one or more children, and brought with him a sin-
gle ewe sheep, all he could obtain, with which he expected
to start a flock at once ; but as it proved, the impossibility
of mating postponed this some years. Meanwhile, home
manufacture of cloth was the only resource for family cloth-
ing, and the one fleece yearly went but a little way in Mr.
Brigham's growing family. At last something had to be
done to increase the bulk of raw material, and it was done
in this way : — A yoke of oxen and one cow had been pur-
chased ; in the spring these animals were carded every
day and the gathered hair was carefully saved each time
till all the old coating was accumulated ; this was cleansed,
incorporated with the one fleece of wool by hand-carding,

MADISON.

597

spun into yarn on the family spinning-wheel, and woven
into cloth in Mrs. Brigham's old time hand loom. Thus
was the the "web" lengthened out and the number of yards
materially increased ; and we are assured that it made
excellent " filling," and that the cloth was equal in quality
to " all wool," with the single exception that it was rather
rough. Necessity was the mother of invention.

Mr. Brigham, though college educated and intelligent,
was eccentric, and from first to last quite unorthodox. He
was no office-seeker, and was never an office-holder, except
in his own town. He was at intervals invited to address
the people, in his own vicinity, publicly, and was always
entertaining and instructive ; occasionally he volunteered to
do so, and made his appointments by posted notices writ-
ten in his own hand. The following is a sample, copied
verbatim from one which called together a large meeting
forty years ago : —

" Notice is hereby given that the plough-
jogger will deliver a political Oration, or Address, on Sat-
urday the 22nd inst., at Madison village, beginning at early
candle-light ; calculated to refine the minds and enlighten
the understandings of a divided, misguided, and tumultuous
populace. — Sept. 17th, 1832."

No signature was affixed and none was needed ; the
'' plough-jogger" was well known ; the people came.

Mr. Brigham and his wife Betsey (the latter a native of
Guilford, Ccnn., born in 1764,) with several of their child-
ren have been dead many years. All rest in the family
burial ground, in a beautiful grove selected by Mr. Brigham
for that purpose, on the homestead farm. The farm passed
to the youngest daughter, Mrs. Aaron Richards, who sur-
vives. It is now {1872,) in possession of her son, Daniel
Richards. This home has thus remained and still contin-
ues in the family of its founder.

Jonas Banton, also from Wilbraham, came in 1801. Ban-
ton was a man of great physical strength and activity.
On one occasion he engaged to chop an acre of land for

598 MADISON COUNTY.

Brownell Simmons and fit it for logging, for the sum of six
dollars ; he performed the work in six days ; but when on
the last tree, after it had fallen, he accidentally struck the
ax into his foot, and was obliged to lay by for three months.
The first piece of land he purchased, after spending seven
years of hard labor in improving it, he failed in making a
certain payment upon, when due, and lost the whole.
Strong and hopeful, he did not yield to this serious dis-
couragement, but immediately purchased again, and was
thenceforth successful. He became a prosperous farmer,
through steady, never-failing courage and perseverance, and
was ever worthy of and enjoyed the respect of his fellow-
townsmen ; and now, (1869,) at or near the age of ninety,
can look back with a memory but little impaired, and with
conscientious satisfaction, upon the events of his earlier
life, when he was a sort of leader or foreman among his
fellows, at raisings, loggings and similar gatherings. He
remembers with affection the ready assistance of his wife
(many years since deceased,) in his pioneer labors, who was
ever to him a true help-meet, companion and promoter of
his prosperity. An incident illustrative of what those pio-
neer women could do, is related : — Mr. Banton was once
burning a large coal-pit ; it caught fire in the night, and
soon got under such headway that he could not control it
The ground was covered with snow twenty inches deep,
but undaunted, Mrs. Banton went through it a mile on foot
to obtain help for her husband to arrest the fire. In that day,
when women -were ashamed of timidity, even alone, in the
night, and in the depths of the forest, this bravely-met
emergency, in a mid-winter night of darkness, storm and
gloom, was counted a courageous act.

Agur Gilbert, from Stratford, Conn., arrived in town in
1799, and bought at Solsville, where his son, Dea. John
Gilbert, lived till the death of the latter in 1870. One of
the six children of Mr. Gilbert, Agur Gilbert, jr., was a
Justice of the Peace at Solsville many years ; he was also.

MADISON.

599

for two terms, we believe, one of the Justices of Sessions
of Madison County. We note further of this son, that
though self-taught, he acquired much ; he became a man of
marked ability, and was from the first a popular magistrate.
It is not too much to say that in his removal to Wisconsin
in 1867, the town and county of Madison lost one of its
soundest and worthiest public men. Agur Gilbert, sen.,
died at his homestead in Solsville about 1840, aged over
seventy years. Dea. John Gilbert, who, as we have just
noted, deceased in 1870, succeeded his father upon the farm,
and was scarcely ever known to leave his home over night.
He was too small a child, when his parents made the jour-
ney from Conn,, in 1799, to remember anything of tl.e cir-
cumstance ; and it is said, with the exception of one trip
to Utica, (22 miles,) when he was a young man, he was
nev^er twenty miles from home, never rode in a stage coach,
and never saw a train of railroad cars.

Dea. Prince Spooner came early to the northwest quar-
ter, and took up a farm on Lot No. 2, where his youngest
son, Benjamin Spooner, now lives, John Niles settled on
Lot 43, near Bouckville, about 1794 or '95. He was fol-
lowed by his father's family, consisting of father, brothers
and sisters — in all fourteen persons. He sold in 1808, to
J. D. Cooledge, and removed to Lebanon.

James D. Cooledge was from Stow, Middlesex Co., Mass.
He came to Madison in 1806. He had good business tal-
ents, and his own way of exercising them. It is said that
he came into town as a flax-dresser, making very little
show, but at the same time keeping a sharp look out for
a good farm and chance to buy. When he made the pur-
chase of Niles and paid ^200 down to secure the bargain,
the latter did not suppose the purchaser would be able to
meet subsequent payments, and did not, therefore, consider
the farm really sold One of his neighbors, Solomon Root,
who had observed the quiet business abilities of Cooledge,
meeting Mr. Niles one day, sententiously remarked to him,

600 MADISON COUNTY.

"Mr. Niles, your farm is sold !" Contrary to Mr. Niles' ex-
pectations, Mr. Cooledge proved to be successful, and took
possession of the farm next spring. The farm he thus
bought is now one of the best in the town of Madison ; it
once took the County Agricultural Society's premium of a
silver cup. It is now owned by Charles Z. Brockett. On
this farm grew the first crop of hops raised in Madison
County. James and William, sons of James D. Cooledge,
reside in Bouckville at the present date. James was born
in Boxboro, Mass., and is now (July, 1870,) aged 84 years ;
William was born in Stow, in December, 1802, and is there-
fore now 68 years of age ; Sylvanus, another son, also re-
sided near Bouckville till some thirty years since. Henry
Cooledge, now a resident of Madison village, is another son
of J. D, Cooledge.

Dr. Samuel McClure came to Bouckville in 1805, and
opened a tavern. The Cherry Valley Turnpike was then
being built, and this point offered an advantageous location
for such an enterprise.

In the spring of 1804, Eli Bancroft and Abner Burnham,
from Hartford, Conn., came to '* look land." They stopped
in Madison, and Jeremiah Mack, who owned a piece of land
on "Water St.," asked them to see it before going further.
They were pleased with its location, and immediately pur-
chased. With their families they arrived in October, hav-
ing been four weeks on the road. They found a double log
tenement, none too large or commodious, but the two fami-
lies, Bancroft and Burnham, consisting of fourteen persons,
were soon domiciled in one part, the other being occupied
by Mack, which they found to be rather snug quarters for
the winter. This house stood near where Albion Burn-
ham, a grandson of Abner Burnham, now lives, on Lot
No. 13.

Mr, Burnham kept the land that he and Bancroft at first
jointly occupied, which is still owned by his : ons, Matthew
R. and Elizur Burnham. Abner Burnham lived to the age
of 80 years, a respected citizen.

MADISON. 60I

David Mason, from Springfield, Mass., came into town in
1808, and bought what has since been known as the " Old
Clemmons Place," nearly a mile east of the village. He
had a family of several children. One son, Elihu, became
a minister of the Presbyterian order ; another, Hezekiah,
(a graduate of either Yale or Harvard,) entered the legal
profession. David Mason died at the residence of his son
David, in the adjoining town of Augusta, in 1822, at the
advanced age of 83 years.

Roderick Spencer, from Hartford, Conn., came in the
winter of 1 806, and located on Water street, purchasing
near Abner Burnham.

Abijah Parker settled in town very early, locating three-
fourths of a mile northeast of Bouckville, on Lot 23, now
known as the "Babcock Place." Zadok, son of Abijah,
was one of the first physicians in Madison.

Thomas, Levi and the Rev. Salmon Morton, were early
settlers, and were among the most successful and influen-
tial of that day. The mother of these men died at the
home of her daughter, Mrs. Charles Lewis, about the year
1846, aged nearly 102 years.

The first child born in the town of Madison, as before
stated, was Sally, daughter of Nicanor Brown. She be-
came Mrs. Anson Brooks. The first male child was Mar-
cena Collister,

The first saw mill erected in Madison, is supposed to
have been the one known as the Dunham saw mill, located
one mile below Cleaveland's mills on the Oriskany Creek.

We have before stated that Erastus Cleaveland built the
first grist mill in town in 1794. In a few years, finding his
mill overstocked with grinding, particularly in the dry sea-
son, he, with characteristic enterprise, erected a mill half a
mile east of his first, on the same stream, which soon took
the name of " Gray's Mill," and some years after he built
still another at Solsville, now Parker's. Cleaveland trans-
ferred this mill to his son-in-law, N. S. Howard, about 1832,

6o2 MADISON COUNTY.

who, after the completion of the Chenango Canal, clauned
that his mill privilege was damaged by this State work to a
large extent. He applied for, and obtained of the Legisla-
ture, damages to near the value of the mill, and the distil-
lery which he also owned, standing opposite. These, with
much other property for manufacturing, remained unused
for about ten years, when the entire water power of the
place passed into other hands, and the milt was repaired
and put in use. Within a few years the old distillery has
been changed into a cheese factory on the same site.

The first frame house in town was built by Solomon
Perkins, where T. L. Spencer now resides, one mile west
of Madison village — Lot No. 37. Samuel Clemmons built
one, near the same time, a short distance west of Squire
Samuel White's present residence. A short time after, an-
other frame house was built, which is still standing (1867)
opposite Samuel Cleaveland's house ; this was for many
years the residence of Samuel Berry, a brother-in-law of
Erastus Cleaveland.

Taverns, institutions of great importance to the new
country and to the emigrating public, were numerous.
One of the first, perhaps tJie first, was kept by Daniel Hol-
brook, one mile west of Solsville. Samuel Clemmons kept
a tavern in the northeast part of the town at an early day,
and Seth Snow kept one at about the same time two miles
east of the village. Maj. Ephraim Clough, from Boston
Mass., also kept a tavern in the northeast part. " Clough's
Tavern" had a wide reputation. Otis McCartney bought the
stand, after Clough's death, and converted it into a private
residence. Amos Fuller kept a store near Clough's, which
was burned down in 1808 or 9.

THE "opening."

The " Indian Opening " gave promise from the first of be-
ing the village of the town. It was beautifully situated,
and presented many inducements for the inhabitants to
make it a centralizing location. John T. Burton built, and

MADSION. 603

for many years kept a tavern at this point ; this, also, \vas
one of the first taverns opened in Madison. The remark
used to be made, that " Burton kept his flip-iron hot from
December to May," — which would indicate that nearly
everybody drank flip in those days. There is an anecdote
related which illustrates the efficiency of a law in force at
that period, forbidding the sale of intoxicating liquors to
Indians : — An Indian came to Burton's tavern one day and
asked for whisky, which, though the request was repeated-
ly urged, Burton decidedly refused. Finding persistance
did not avail, the shrewd fellow went away a short distance
and found a boy, whom he sent to Mr. Burton's bar, and
got the whisky; Possessed of his jug, and triumphantly
displaying it, the Indian stalked up to the tavern door, and
as he took a drink with evident gusto, called out, " Misser
Burton ! Misser Burton ! your law got a hole in it !"

A store was kept at the opening by John Lucas. At
this place the first postoffice in town was established, with
Asa B. Sizer as first postmaster. The mail was carried
on horseback about once a week, over the State road, which
was early opened to Waterville, (then " Sangerfield Hud-
dle,") and soon extended through Madison. One of the
earliest physicians, Dr. Parker, had his office here for many
years, and a church, organized in 1798, erected a house
of worship here in 1802.

The first "Fourth of July" celebration in town was at the
Opening. The inhabitants determined this should be a
memorable time, and accordingly great preparations were
made beforehand. A pine bough house was put up, which
was tastefully finished off by the women ; powder was pro-
cured, a fifty-six pound weight was got in readiness to serve
as a cannon, and a keg of rum was transported from Utica.
In the evergreen arbor a tastefully decorated table was
spread, loaded with every luxury the country aftbrded at
that time. We doubt not there were, in the infinite variety,
chicken pies and roast meats in abundance, including m the

604 MADISON COUNTY.

latter the stuffed pig standing upon all fours on the largest
pewter platter in the settlement, with gingerbread, dough-
nuts and dried pumpkin pies, the standard delicacies, once,
for dessert. The day came and was somehow ushered in ;
but the fifty-six, as ordinarily charged, did not cause suffi-
cient eclat ; so they placed upon it a thick plank loaded
with cobble stones and applied a slow match to the powder.
The stones were thrown in every direction, and the thunder-
ing sound of the discharge echoed and reverberated far
away in the adjacent woods, this time doing satisfactory
honor to the illustrious occasion ; but the tedious waiting
for the slow match did not harmonize with the spirit of the
day. At length an old Indian, who had imbibed somewhat
freely of the imported beverage in the keg, decided to
stand by the improvised cannon and ignite the powder after
the manner of "white man " artillerists. This he did
repeatedly, the cobbles flying all around him ; and at each
explosion he could be seen in the midst of a cloud of smoke,
swinging his arms, gesticulating like an orator and shouting
out amid the confusion, " Good soldier ! never flinch ! "

After the excitement of the firing had passed, all were
exceedingly astonished, and very thankful too, to find that
the Indian had not been harmed. Those who took part in
this celebration, declared in after years, that in all their life-
time, they never so well enjoyed the "glorious Fourth," as on
this occasion at the Opening.

The first Church society in the town of Madison, Con-
gregational, was organized in 1796, with nine members.
The first pastor of this Church was Rev. Ezra Woodworth,
who preached about eight years. A barn belonging to Mr.
Berry, which stood where now is Samuel Cleaveland's garden,
was their place of worship for a season. In 1804, they
built a church at the Center. The barn above mentioned
was also used for town meetings and other large gatherings
previous to the building of the church.

The people of Madison were ever ready to improve op-

MADISON. 605

portunities promising the general advancement. Hence
when the Cherry Valley Turnpike was projected, they gave
the enterprise a hearty and effective support. It became
the means also of bringing new villages into existence, and
so Madison village and Bouckville grew up, while the
"Opening," and the "Center," both in the beginning promising
some notoriety as villages, fell into decay.

MADISON VILLAGE.

The land upon which the village is located, was first
taken up by Seth Gibson, and by him sold to Samuel
Berry, receiving twenty-five dollars for his interest. The
good soil and fine location induced Mr. Berry to make the
purchase, though he acted on the suggestion of Mr. Cleave-
land ; not thinking, however, that time and circumstances
would so largely enhance its value. The germ of the new
village soon appeared above ground ; Mr. Berry sold Samuel
Sinclair the northwest corner in the cross-roads, where the
latter built and kept a tavern a number of years. He was
succeeded by Goodwin, and the same building is now (1870,)
standing. John Lucas moved his store from the Opening
to the northeast corner, where Mr. Morgan's hardware
store now is, and continued trade there many years. The
town clerk, Asa B. Sizer, located his dwelling just east of
the tavern. Alfred Wells was also one of the first mer-
chants, and had his store on the southeast corner. Dr.
Samuel Barber, kept the first drug store— which was the
place where the murderer, Hitchcock, obtained the poison
to destroy his wife. Dr. Barber built the first dwelling
house of the place, which is standing now, east of the M.
E. Church. Eliphalet House, who was for many years, in
the early days, a blacksmith and edge-tool maker at the
Opening, was followed in the same business by his sons
E'eazer and James, who located and continued in the busi-
ness, in the village, for many years. Lawyers, doctors
and other professional men, found this point a desirable loca-
tion for their several callings. Phineas L. and Albert H.

6o6 MADISON COUNTY,

Tracy, brothers, Judge Edward Rogers and David Woods,
were of the earUest and most promuient lawyers ; and
Doctors Parker, CoIHster, Putnam, Sizer, Pratt and Bar-
ker, are remembered as physicians of the first quarter
century ; some of them for a later period. Rev. Ezra
Woodworth, Elder Salmon Morton, Rev. Simeon Snow
and Elder E. M. Spencer, are frequently named as
pastors of this town during the early years of the churches.
Itinerant ministers from all denominations frequently visi-
ted the people here, among whom were Rev. Eliphalet
Steele, of Paris, Congregational ; Elder John Peck, of the
Baptist order ; Father Stacy, of the Universalist denomina-
tion, and the noted and eccentric Lorenzo Dow. Madison
village was incorporated, April 17, 18 16, being then one of
the three incorporated villages in the county.

BoucKViLLEwas mostly built up after the construction of
the Chenango Canal. It was known at first to the travel-
ins: world as " McClure Settlement," and continued to be
thus known many years. McClure's tavern, which stood
east of the M. E. Church, is still a very good building,
having been commodiously and tastefully improved ; it is
now the residence of Dea. William Cooledge. Southeast
of his tavern stood McClure's dwelling house, on the once
State road, on land now owned by James Cooledge, Esq. ;
the house was removed years ago. On the corner wliere
Marcius Washburn now lives, stood the "Crain House," one
of the taverns of the turnpike. John Edgarton, one of the
first settlers of the town, located at Bouckville.

In the early times there was a road passing from the
State road, from a point where Mr. Theodore Spencer now
lives, in a southerly direction over the hill to the Manchester
Settlement. On this road lived Capt. Russel in a log house.
Charles Z. Brockett, the present owner of the same farm,
has preserved the hearth-stone of Russel's log cabin, a
slab of common limestone, and uses it as a door-stone at
his residence.

MADISON.

607

McClure's settlement was also known as the "Hook;''
but when the place (about 1824,) began to assume the pro-
portions of a village, it was considered proper that a dis-
tinctive name should be given it. Accordingly a number
of the leading men of the place and neighborhood convened
to select one. A. P. Lord, the Lelands, the Edgartons,
and many others were present. After enjoying a convivial
season, in which all became more merry if possible than
was their wont, John Edgarton was duly crowned master of
the ceremonious occasion, and his name was decided upon
as the one to be honored, by naming the place " Johnsville."
The locality bore this name until the construction of the
Chenango Canal, when, a postoffice being about to be
established, it became necessary to select a new name.
Many, perhaps a majority, preferred the last christening ;
but to this there was discovered a serious objection. The
State of New York already had so many postofifices named
after " John," with variations so nearly approximating
" Johnsville " in orthography, that it was feared confusion
might become worse confounded by continuing it for the
postoffice, and so it was dropped. The name of " Bouck-
ville," in honor of Governor Bouck, was therefore adopted
for the village and postoffice.

SoLsviLLE, asmall village on the Chenango Canal, which,
as before stated, once bore the name of " Dalrymple's Saw
Mill," and " Howard's Mills," was, like Bouckville, named
at a convivial gathering, in honor of Solomon or " Sol'
Alcott, who was a resident of the place and a manufacturer
of potash.

The Chenango Canal has done much for the prosperity
of the town of Madison, as well as for the county at large,
and other sections through which it passes. In its incipiency
the prominent men of Madison, Chenango and Broome
Counties, particularly, labored long and earnestly to obtain a
movement by the Legislature in its behalf Moses May-

6o8 MADISON COUNTY.

nard was sent by the people to Albany to advocate the
budding enterprise. By his persistent efforts he obtained
a recognition of the bill, and also gained the interest of
Wm. C. Bouck, who afterwards became Governor, The
Governor's influence was a great acquisition ; the bill re-
ceived attention, Commissioners were appointed to estimate
the cost, &c. ; but even this support, together with Mr.
Maynard's two years' labor at Albany, did not quite insure
the success of the enterprise, till it was ascertained that the
"long level" on the Erie Canal needed another feeder. The
advocates of the new canal were on hand at this juncture ;
they succeeded in showing conclusively that the proposed
work would become such a feeder, and the bill authorizing
its construction, therefore, passed ; with provisions that it
take none of the waters of the Oriskany and Sauquoit
Creeks, and that the cost be not more than a million dol-
lars. The work was begun in 1833, and completed in 1836.
The summit level, as before stated, is in this town. From
Oriskany Falls to Bouckville, a distance of six miles, it
rises 172 feet, it being at the latter point 1,128 feet above
tide. From Utica to the summit, it rises 706 feet, by
^6 locks, and from thence descends 303 feet by 38 locks,
to the Susquehanna, at Binghamton.

The origin of the name of " Water Street" is thus re-
lated : — One hot summer day, when the country was new,
a stranger on horse-back came through the town on this
street, and at every house stopped for water to give his
thirsty horse ; there were no wells, and the springs and
streams were dry. Being at last unable to refresh himself
or beast, he rode off in disgust to the nearest point on the
Oriskany Creek, where their pressing needs were satisfied.
He mentioned his ill luck on that long street to the first
settlers he met, and contemptuously called it " Water St."
It has borne that name to this day.

In 1805, Madison was the scene of a great religious dis-

MADISON. 60g

cussion, between Elder Salmon Morton, Baptist, and Rev.
Nathaniel Stacy, Universalist. The meeting was held in a
barn. The entire community for several miles around were
deeply interested, and sympathy for one or the other of the
eminent disputants waxed warm. The Baptist Church at
Hamilton took a lively interest in this discussion. Rev.
Stacy, or "Father Stacy," as he was aftectionately called
in his advanced years, was a traveling preacher, and one of
the ablest of his denomination. The founding of a Uni-
versalist Church in Madison grew out of Rev. Stacy's dis-
cussions, and his itinerant visits in the subsequent years.
According to the information obtained in reference to this
— -at the time — famous religious disputation in Madison,
each disputant came out of it triumphantly victorious ;
each creed was totally annihilated, in the opinion of its
opponents, yet each church lived and flourished after-
wards.

About 1807, Alpheus Hitchcock, the murderer, lived at
Madison Center. He was a fine singer, and one of the best
of the early singing school teachers. He was said to have
been one of the handsomest men in the country. The un-
lawful attachment he formed for one of his pupils proved
his ruin ; to be free to follow the bent of his inclinations,
he compassed his wife's death by giving her poison. He
was arrested, proven guilty and hung in Cazenovia, then the
County seat. He was the first person upon whom was in-
flicted this extreme penalty, in Madison County. The mur-
der, the circumstances connected with it, the trial and exe-
cution, produced intense exciteme,.it throughout the entire
county.

In the autumn of 1806, this section was visited by a ma-
lignant fever, to which many fell victims : A merchant at
the Center, Silas Patrick, had been to Philadelphia to pur-
chase goods, and while there contracted it. The contagion

M2

6lO MADISON COUNTY.

spread ; Mr. Thomas Dick's family, living near Mr. Fat-
rick's, being the first after the latter to be prostrated with
it. On the 4th of December, Mr. Dick, aged 50 years,
died. Within six weeks from the date of his attack, his
wife, a daughter, two sons, his aged mother and himself
were all dead. Levi Dick, another son, aged 22, was left
with the care of three young children, the eldest a girl of
12, and the youngest an infant a year old. This terrible
disease, which made such havoc throughout the settlement,
somewhat resembled the yellow fever, but with such pecu-
liar symptoms that the physicians were unable to success-
lully control it. Dr. Greenly, of Hamilton, by skillful treat-
ment, arrested its progress. Levi Dick pursued a manly,
praiseworthy course with the surviving remnant of his
father's family ; he went on with the cares and la-
bors of the farm, his young sister keeping house, and with
more than brotherly affection reared the young children ;
by his diligence and prudence he kept up the payments on
the farm, thus securing at last a paid for homestead, and
subsequently accumulated a considerable property. He
was a respected member of society, possessed excellent
qualities of head and heart, with a mind well stored with
that solid and practical knowledge which is gained by dili-
gence in spare moments during years of toil. He survived
to a ripe old age, dying at the home of his daughter, Mrs.
W. F. Warren, in Augusta, Oneida County, in the winter
of 1870, aged 85 years.

We have before noted that the first crop of hops grown
in Madison County (perhaps in Central New York,) was
raised by James D. Cooledge. In 1808, he began the cul-
ture by securing all the roots that could be spared from the
single hill or two in each of his neighbors' gardens ; these
he increased and enlarged from, year after year, and sup-
plied home breweries. In the fall of 18 16, Mr. Cooledge
took the first western hops to the New York market, after

MADISON. 5j j

which, dealers in that product were ready to hold out in-
ducements to growers in Central New York. His adjoin-
ing neighbor, Solomon Root, also engaged in hop growing
as soon as he could obtain the setts, and about the year
1817 or 'i8, sold two tons of hops at $1,000 per ton. After
this, farmers of this section needed no urging to go into the
business. During the subsequent forty years the town of
Madison was largely indebted to the hop culture for its
steadily growing wealth ; so marked and substantial was the
advance among hop growers, that travelers were always
struck with the evidences of it on every farm where one
or more acres of stacked poles were to be seen.

The imaginative tourist will readily draw comparisons
between the primitive ages and the to-day. In yonder
field of stacked poles, he sees the wigwams of far away
olden time ; in those grotesque groups of merry hop pick-
ers, he beholds the dusky women of the ancient forest con-
vened in the " Opening" to gather the harvest of Indian
corn ; in the hilarious shouts and songs of those same
groups of country girls under the growing vines, or in the
shriek of the steam whistle, as the locomotive rushes like
a ferocious monster over the iron threaded landscape, he
fancies that he hears the concerted whoop of the savage
horde ringing through the wilderness of an hundred years
ago ; and his vision of what has been, is faithful and true,
even upon or contiguous to the scene which produced it.
There is truly a coincidence thus far in the two periods of
time so far asunder, but here it must end. The heavy
depths of the ancient forest is wanting. All this has been
swept away by the men of whom we have been writing.
Another race of beings swarm upon the area once covered
with massive trees ; all is changed, and the march of pro-
gress is onward.

PROMINENT MEN.

Erastus Cleaveland of whom frequent mention has al-
ready been made, was from Norwich. Conn. He was born

6i2 MADISON COUNTY,

in 1 77 1, was a poor youth, and compelled by the rigor oi
circumstances to support himself from the age of fourteen^
In 1792 he visited Madison, and in '93 came here to locate
and build up the first mills> as has been stated in the fore-
going annals.

In addition to these enterprises on Oriskany Creek, he
also started a distillery and brewery, and afterwards a card-
ing machine and satinet cloth factory. He also dealt
largely in buying and fattening cattle for the New York
and Philadelphia markets. Gen. Cleaveland, Maj. Clougb
and Capt. Seth Blair, frequently journeyed together in
taking their droves to market. Cleaveland was remarkable
for energy, skill and perseverance. He was all through his
life one of the first business men of Madison, and possessed
unrivaled influence among his townsmen, while through-
out the country he was well known, respected, and hiS'
judgment relied on. He held the office of Justice of the
Peace for many years, was Supervisor ibr a long period,,
and was elected to the Legislature twice after the organi-
zation of Madison County. He also held several other
offices, both in town and county, all ; of which is evidence
of the confidence and respect in which he was held in his-
every day life. He was commissioned Lieut. Colonel in
the war of 18 [2, and was acting Colonel of his regiment, on
duty at Sackett's Harbor. He was afterwards constituted
a Brigadier General of militia in this county.

Mr. Cleaveland was successful in all his business pur-
suits. He died at his residence near Madison village in
1858, in the 87th year of his age. His worthy christian wife
survived him four years. Samuel G. Cleaveland, his son,
succeeded him upon the homestead.

Phineas L. and Albert H. Tracy, from Norwich, Conn.,
came to Madison village in 181 1, then young men, and
engaged, in co-partnership, in the practice of law. They
remained four or five years, when Phineas removed to Bata-
via, where he became somewhat noted in the profession.

MADISON. gjn

Albert went to Buffalo and won a high reputation in prac-
tice. He was elected to Congress from that district.

Edward Rogers succeeded the Tracys, and practiced law
in Madison about thirty years. He was also for some
years Judge of the Court of Common Pleas. Judge Rog-
ers was a graduate of Yale College, a writer of ability, and
published several works. In 1840 he was elected to Con-
gress and served one term. His son, H. Gould Rogers,
was commissioned Consul to Sardinia under the adminis-
tration of President Taylor.

David Woods, from Salem, Washington County, N. Y.,
came to Madison about 18 16, and practiced law about
eight years. He was elected to the Legislature in 18 16,
and in 18 17, and was Speaker of the Assembly both years.
During Mr. Wood's stay in town, Samuel Nelson, now a
Senior Judge of the Supreme Court of the United States,
studied two years in his office and afterwards married his
daughter. Judge Nelson now, (1870,) resides at Coopers-
town.

Dr. Asa B. Sizer, one of the early physicians of the town,
the first Postmaster, the first Clerk of the County in 1806,
became Surrogate Judge of Madison County in 18 16. Dr.
Sizer was a man of ability, and was highly esteemed politi-
cally, among his constituents.

Stephen F. Blackstone, was a man possessed of the
qualities requisite in providing for the public needs of a
new country. Always wide awake to the interests of the
community, he was by that community trusted, honored and
promoted. In 18 14, he was chosen to the Asembly ; sub-
sequently he was constituted Judge of Common Pleas, but
his chief energies were directed towards developing the
resources of the new country ; hence he became a zealous
and leading agriculturist. Through the always conspicu-
ous activity of this man, improvements were introduced,
many branches of industry were revived, better stock was
reared, and altogether the agricultural interest of the town

6 14 MADISON COUNTY,

were being continually expanded and placed upon a better
basis than before. No man in Madison was more energetic
in bringing about these results than Judge Blackstone.

James Cooledge. Esq., is one of the last survivors of the
early settlers of Madison. He was for a great many years
a practical surveyor, and hence became the standard
authority in this town, in matters pertaining to this science.
The author of French's map of Madison County, trusted
to Mr. Cooledge's critical judgment in delineating this
town, and found he had acted wisely in so doing. Mr.
Cooledge has held the office of Justice of the Peace for
many years, and has frequently, all his long life, been
chosen to act in other official capacities, to the satisfaction
and credit of his constituents.

Physicians. — Among the earlier physicians were the
following : —

Dr. Parker was located at the Indian Opening several
years, but afterwards removed to a new residence a half
mile east of the village. Though possessing some peculiar
constitutional traits, he had the reputation of being a well
read, skillful physician.

Dr. Elijah Putnam, originally from West Cambridge,
Mass., came to Peterboro in 1801. In March, 1802, he
located a half mile east of Madison Center, where he
resided and continued to practice about forty years. He
was a worthy respected man and christian gentleman, as
well as an excellent physician. He spent a few of the last
years of his life in the village, with his son, Henry Putnam.
His death occurred in January, 185 1, in his eighty-second
year. His son, Dr. John Putnam, residing in Madison vil-
lage, succeeded him in practice.

Dr. Jonathan Pratt came into town early, and lived near
where Samuel G. Cleaveland now resides. He was a highly
respected citizen as well as a skillful physician. Dr. Pratt,
of Eaton, and Dr. Pratt, of Fenner, were his brothers. He
practiced several years, when he lost his life by accident
in falling from a ladder.

MADISON. 5j^

Dr. Samuel Collister practiced medicine a number of
years at the Center with Dr. Putnam, with whom he
studied. He was considered a physician of superior skill,
and his death at middle age was much lamented.

Dr. Daniel Barker, having taken a part in the war of
1812, came to Madison in 18 15, and established himself in
the village. Here he was a successful practitioner through
life, dying but a few years since. He was popular profes-
sionally, and was a man of influence. As a man of talent,
and as a gentleman in the true sense, he had few superiors.

CHURCHES.

The Congregational Church of Madison, was organized
September 6, 1796, by Rev. Eliphalet Steele of Paris.
Ten members composed the organization. The barn of
John Berry was used for the meetings. In 1802 a meeting
house was commenced at the Center, which was finished
and dedicated about two years after. Rev. Ezra Wood-
worth was the first pastor. He was sent out to preach by
Rev. Jonathan Edwards, the renowned divine. The meet-
ing house after standing twenty years at the Center, was
taken down and rebuilt on a new site, on the north side of
the road nearly opposite where it stood before. In 1856, it
was again taken down and rebuilt in Madison village, where
it still remains-

The Baptist Chtirch of Madison was formed December
20, 1798, at the house of Moses Phelps near Solsville.
Rev. Joel Butler, was the first pastor. The meeting house
was built at the "Opening" about 1802. (Note o.) Elder
Salmon Morton was ordained in this house June 23, 1802,
and preached here twelve years. In 1833, the society built
a new house of worship at Madison village. It has recent-
ly been improved at considerable cost.

A Society of friends was early organized in this town, and
built a small meeting house. The society is now extinct,
and their building is unused and falling to decay.

The Utiiversalisi Church of Madison was early established

6l6 MADISON COUNTY.

in the village. The present edifice was built in 1821. This
church is at present markedly prosperous under the
pastoral care of Rev. A. H. Marshall.

Methodist Episcopal CJmrch of Madison village, was
organized with a class of seven persons, at an early date.
Solomon Root was prominent in erecting the Chapel in
1840. During the present year, under the labors of Rev.
Samuel Babcock, a fine enlargement has been made, also
thorough repairs at considerable cost.

The Methodist Church at Bouckville, was organized at
Solomon Root's house, by the Rev. Barak Cooley. Solomon
Root was the first Class Leader. The first Methodist Chapel,
of this part of the country, was built on Mr. Root's farm
near the town line. In 1852^ the society erected their
church at Bouckville.

NELSON.

617

CHAPTER XIII

NELSON,

Boundaries. — Geography. — Township No. i. — Large Company
of Pioneers in 1793. — Settlement of Northeast Quarter. —
Incidents. — Early Enterprises. — Richardsons, and other Pio-
neers.— Incidents. — Early Churches. — Customs of the Day. —
Encounter with a Bear. — Deaths by Accident. — Incidents. —
Erieville. — Nelson Flats. — Churches.

This town is bounded north by Fenner and Smithfield,
east by Eaton, south by Georgetown, and west by Cazeno-
via. It is one of the central towns of the County. Its
surface is broken by successive ridges bearing in a north-
easterly and southwesterly direction, which form the contin-
uation of the watershed, dividing the waters flowing north and
south. At a number of points, the opposite flowing streams
have their source within a few rods of each other. At the "Tog
Hill House," (a former hotel on the turnpike,) the water
falling from the eaves of the roof take opposite directions, —
from one side mingling with the northward bound streams,
form the other with those flowing southward.

The principal stream of this town, is the Chittenango
Creek, which has two considerable branches. The largest
of these rises in Fenner, and enters this town in the north
part, courses southerly, then westerly, and in the northwest
quarter unites with the other branch from the south, where
the two form the main Chittenango, then a stream of much
volume and power, flowing to the north through Cazenovia.
The south branch has its source a short distance southeast

6l8 MADISON COUNTY.

of Erieviile, and is fed by numerous rivulets from springs in
the hillsides. This, and a tributary from the east, supplies
Erieviile Reservoir, which was constructed in 1857, at a
cost of $10,884,73, covers an area of 340 acres, and lies at
a considerable elevation above the Erie Canal of which it is
a feeder, and is distant from the canal about 18 miles.
The Eaton Reservoir, which supplies the Chenango Canal,
lies partly in this town on the southeast border.

The soil of Nelson is generally of a gravelly loam, well
adapted for grazing. The sections denominated in years
past, the " cold hills of Nelson," are now productive dairy
farms. Factories for making butter and cheese, are to be
seen at frequent intervals. Published agricultural statistics,
place this town high in the scale for its dairy and other
exports.

Two State roads were laid out through this town, at an
early day ; one passing through the south part oi the
town, entering it from Eaton, across the land afterwards
flowed by the Eaton Reservoir, passing over the hills
through Erieviile to Woodstock, thence to Union and
Pompey Hill in Cazenovia ; the other, coming from Morris-
ville, passing directly west through the town near the cen-
ter. The Skaneateles Turnpike, afterwards constructed,
took the general course of the former. The Cherry
Valley Turnpike, built about 1806, took a more northwesterly
course than the State road from Morrisville, passing through
Nelson Flats to Cazenovia. The Syracuse and Chenango
Valley Railroad, now being constructed, crossed the town
of Nelson, entering in the northwest quarter and passing
out near the center of the south line.

Nelson was Township No. i, of the Chenango Twenty
Towns, and according to its first survey, contained 27,187
acres. It was purchased by Col. John Lincklaen, and added
to his Road Township Purchase in 1793 ; and when
Cazenovia was organized in 1795, this Township was inclu-
ded in it. By an act of the Legislature, passed March 13,

NELSON, 5lQ

1 807 ; it was detached or formed from Cazenovia, the inhabi-
tants naming it " Nelson," in honor of Lord Nelson the
British Admiral. The first town meeting was held in a
barn belonging to Rufus Wever, located where the State
Road intersected with the road from Nelson Flats to Erie-
ville. The barn was of sufficient capacity to hold the
assemblage of voters, it being fifty-two feet long, by about
forty wide ; and if not the first, was one of the first frame
barns of the town. It is still a good barn. The first
Supervisor was John Rice ; the first Justice of the Peace,
Jedediah Jackson. But three men who were old enough
to take part in the town meeting, are now living in the
town ; these are Benj. Wadsworth, David Case and David
Card.

In 1793, Jedediah Jackson and Joseph Yaw came from
Vermont, to locate land in Township No. i, for a company
who proposed to emigrate from that State. The situation
of the land pleased these commissioners, and the northeast
quarter of the township was purchased. Accordingly, in
1794, twenty families came on from Pownell, Vt., and settled
that quarter, and also other parts of the township. The
names of these pioneers, together with others who came
during the same and following year, are as follows : —
Jedediah Jackson, Oliver Alger, Ebenezer Lyon, Levi Neal,
Daniel Adams, Thomas Swift, Esquire Howard, Luther
Doolittle, Joseph Carey, John Everton and his three sons,
Rufus Wever, David Nichols, Noel Johnson, Nicholas
Jencks, Jeremiah Sayles, Capt. Mallory and his seven sons, .
Seth Curtis, Daniel Madison, Joseph Yaw, Amos Rathbone,
Eliphalet Jackson, James Green, Sylvanus Sayles, Daniel
Cooledge, Isaac Cooledge, Roger Brooks, Robert Brown,
Solomon Brown, Thomas Tuttle, Jesse Tuttle, Isaiah
Booth, Jesse Clark.

When the company of pioneers were near the end of
their journey, they encamped for the night in the woods
just outside the Nelson Hue. The families of Jedediah

620 MADISON COUNTY.

Jackson and Rufus Wever were camped together. Early-
next morning two young ladies of the party, one a daughter
Mr. Jackson, the other of Mr. Wever, each resolved to be
the first to enter the new town. These active young women
had a lively foot race till they came to a stream bridged
only by a log. Neither paused for ceremony, for on the
other side of the " rolling flood " before them, lay the soil of
the, new township, which each with flying feet was striving
to be the first to reach. Miss Jackson succeeded in getting
upon the log first by just one step ; but Miss Wever, agile
as any wild denizen of those primitive woods, sprang also
upon the log. pushed her rival off", and with swift steps
gained the opposite shore. Her gay laugh rang out loud
and clear as she looked back upon Miss Jackson at the
other end of the log, whose face was a picture of mingled
mirth and chagrin. This little incident served to enliven
the camp, and with cheerful hearts the company went on
and took possession of the unbroken forest of Nelson.
■ Miss Wever afterwards became the wife of Nathan Smith,
and Miss Jackson the wife of David Fay. Rufus Wever
jr., now living, was an infant one year old when his father
came on with this company of settlers.

Rufus Wever's first purchase in the State of New York,
was a large farm where Utica now stands, which he bought
of the patroon of Albany, Stephen Van Rensselaer, with-
out previously seeing it. On going to it to take possession,
he found that an old man had "squatted" upon it. Not
wishing to drive him off, he went back to Van Rensselaer
and offered to give up his claim if he could have his money
back. This was done, and thus Mr. Wever let a splendid
bargain pass from his hands. So, with his money, he came
on with his former neighbors to Nelson. He had a large
family,* who settled around him. His large farm is now

*From an ancient record, copied from the Town Register of Pownal, Vermont,
we have the following statement of the births of the children of Rufus Wever
«nd Hannah, his wife, pioneers : — "Mary, born June 17, 1770; Hannah, born May
II, 1772; Elizabeth, born March 4, 1774; Orrilla, born March 31, 1777; Debo-

NELSON, 62 1

owned by his son Rufus, and the first frame house he built
— probably the oldest frame house now standing in Nelson
—is still the home of this son.

Jedediah Jackson located on the hill, a short distance
west of the Flats ; here he built the first tavern, which
was also the first frame house of the town. Ft was a large fine
building for those days. When the turnpike, which passed
his house, was changed in its course, he converted it into a
frame house, where he spent the remainder of his years.

Joseph Yaw located west of the center. He was a cap-
tain of Militia, a Justice of the Peace, a man of position
and highly respected.

Roger Brooks was probably the first cabinet maker of the
town. Many articles of his handicraft, rare specimens of
mechanism, are still doing service in the homes of the old
families. He was a substantial citizen, whom all respected
and loved ; hence was a valued member of the new set-
tlement.

Daniel Adams, who settled north of the Flats, was a
prominent citizen and useful man in all stations he was

called to fill.

Asahel Jackson was another of the prominent and
useful men of Nelson in the early days, both in town and

county.

Joseph, Chauncey, and David Case, brothers, came from
the town of Simsbury, Hartford County, Conn., at or near
the beginning of the present century. They located in the
then unbroken wilderness, in the west part of the town,
where they gradually developed large farms, Joseph and
Chauncey occupying the homesteads of their own founding

.ah, born Aug. a6. 1781 ; Sarah, born June 9. ^jH^^^^^^, ]lZ'^''Lnt!:'\ll
Rulus, born Ly ., I793; ^ Of these arah ^.e May 6 ^jj^^.^^_
Kite of Archibald Bates, died Jan 22, '^^^'M-iry married r^ ^ j , ^^^^^^

beth married David Nichols ; Orr.Ua "'"^"'^'l, N"'^'"" J'"" V"^^^ ^,ho wa.

William Sims, who settled in Cazenova ; Lyd.a ■^-'"'^y "^^P,™, a . ^^,-
for a time a fa'rmer in this town, who subsequently ['--^^^ °^™;:',i.„eer
jr., married Amy Smith, and lives on the homestead. Ruius Wcver, F

was born in 1746, and died in 1 8 14.

622 MADISON COUNTY.

till their deaths. Joseph died in 1855, aged 89 years ;
Chauncey in i860, aged S6 years. David Case still (1872,)
resides on the farm he first purchased, in his 94th year.
These three men were present at the meeting to organize
the town of Nelson ; they were highly respected, valued,
and useful citizens. Lester and J. Milton Case, sons of
Joseph Case, reside in Cazenovia. The former was a mem-
ber of the Legislature in 1858, and also a member of the
Constitutional Convention in 1867 nnd '68. Luna, daugh-
ter of Joseph Case, married Mr. Geo. Garrett, and resided
in Wisconsin till her death, which occurred recently.

William Knox and David Hamilton, brothers-in-law,
came early, and took up adjoining farms in the east part of
the town. They were from Blandford, Mass. Quite a lit-
tle colony came from the same place soon after — probably
about 1805 — among whom were the Simons, Blairs, Stim-
sons, and John Knox, a brother of William. John Knox,
on his arrival, took the farm first located by his brother.
Mr. C. D. Knox is on the farm originally taken up by his
father, and S. W. Hamilton, son of David, also succeeds to
the paternal homestead.

William Knox moved from Blandford in the winter, with
one horse and an ox team, and was fourteen days on the
journey. Mrs. Knox, during the journey, knit a pair of
cotton stockings in the long evenings where they stopped
for the night, which are still in existence. When they ar-
rived in Township No. i, they were obliged to proceed the
rest of the way to their location by marked trees. The young
wife — they had been but a short time married — was very
homesick ; she could not readily become reconciled to their
forest home. Every surrounding was uncongenial ; the
snow-laden forest was all around their log cabin, the woods
so dense that many trees could be counted, looking from the
broad fire-place upward through the ample chimney top ;
the comforts of life were few, and as to society, there was
scarcely any availably near, in the depths of winter. She

NELSON. 623

often related how her heart was cheered 07ie night by the
sound of sleigh bells ; a riding party from Cazenovia had
lost their way in the woods, and drove past their door. An
angel's visit could not have been more opportune than was
the jingling of those bells in the quiet night time to the
homesick woman.

EARLY ENTERPRISES.

On one of the head branches of the Chittenango, some
distance north of Erieville, the first grist mill was built by
a Mr. Annas. Oliver Pool afterwards became the owner of
this mill, and moved it a short distance to lengthen the
dyke. Subsequently he built a new mill upon the same
stream near by.

One of the first taverns of the town was kept by Luther
Doolittle in the northeast quarter, about 1800. It was not
a very pretentious institution, being a log structure, with
barn, &c., attached. There is nothing now on the site.
Another inn was built by Eldad Richardson, on " Eagle Hill,"
not long ofter 1800. For years, the tall Lombardy poplars,
which stood so conspicuously against the sky upon that
lofty height, in front of the hostelry, seemed literally to
beckon the way-worn traveler, bound west, onward, and up
the sharp acclivity, inviting him to refreshments and rest
beneath their shadow. To those who had once traversed
the Skaneateles Turnpike over Eagle Hill, these trees, seen
afar, were an assurnace of wayside comforts at hand. We
ought to add, however, that Richardson's first tavern here
was a log building, with limited conveniences ; the bar-
room, dining-room and parlor being one and the same.

The first store in town was kept by Eliphalet Jackson,
in a small log house at Nelson Flats, on the west side of
the swamp, and a little way on the ascending ground— near
Lot No. 20 The second store was kept by Jacob Tucker-
man, sen., in a log building in Erieville. A Mr. Mallory
built the first frame tavern building where the present one
stands, and Tuckerman succeeded him as landlord. En

624 MADISON COUNTY,

Richardson, (one of the five brothers,) succeeded Tucker-
man, and as a token of the esteem in which he was held by
the citizens, his name was in part given to the little ville,
which was at that time growing in importance. Thereafter,
Erieville * became one of the well and widely known points
on the Skaneateles Turnpike. The present hotel was built
by Thomas Medbury about 1820.

Previous to 18 1 5, James Tinsler built a saw mill on the
lot now owned by Mr. Wightman, on the turnpike, nearly
half way from Erieville to Woodstock, About 18 16, he
also built a tavern at the same point. He had previously
had a tavern and grocery building here, which stood upon
the same site and was kept by a Mr. Powers. These men,
however, were not the first here ; a man by the name of
Green kept this inn and grocery a number of years before
them. Tinsler moved into his new tavern and became his
own landlord.

In 1796, five brothers — Eldad, Eri, Lemuel, Asa and
Benjamin Richardson — came in from New Hampshire, and
settled in and near where Erieville now is. About the
same date, or a little later, John Hamilton, sen., and his six
sons, Moses Smith, Ezra and Isaac Lovejoy, Erastus Grover,
Asa Carey, Haven White, Richard Wilbur and Enos Cha-
pin came in and settled in different localities in this town.
Many of these were from Massachusetts. Joshua, Robert
and Garner Wells, came about 1798, and settled on the hill
above " Pool's Mills." William and Joseph Sims, brothers
of Horatio, also settled in this town and Cazenovia. Jere-
miah Clark located north of Erieville. He built the first
saw mill about 1800 ; it stood where now is the outlet of
the Erieville Reservoir. Israel Patterson and Oliver Stone
located in the south part of the town ; Richard Karley in
the northeast quarter ; AbnerCamp in the southeast corner.
Camp's location being so near the Eaton line, and " Camp's

* Should have been originally written "Eriville."

NELSON. 625

Pond" being within the town of Eaton, a sketch of him is
given in that town. The Hopkins also in the southeast
part, are mentioned in the Eaton chapter, David WelHno--
ton settled on Lot 137, near the Eaton Brook Reservoir,
in 1797. Thomas Ackley and Benjamin Hatch, from Plain-
field, Otsego County, settled in the same locality. Aaron
Lindsley, Moses and Solomon Clark, Jesse, Abner and
Seth Bump, came previous to 1800, the three Bump broth-
ers settling in the most northern part of the town. Cal-
vin Farnam came in from the Mohawk country at an early
date. Luke Jennings, from Long Island, settled on the
farm now owned by John Clark, opposite the Nelson Rich-
ardson place. Isaiah and Ezra Booth, came from Conway,
Conn., in April, 180O ; Ezra located on the north half of
the lot now owned by his grandson, Levi Booth, on the
State Road in the neighborhood of the Welsh meeting
house.

Judge Ebenezer Lyon and his wife Chloe, came from
Wallingford, Vt., and located on Lots No, 78 and 79, in
Nelson, in 1794. He was one of the first Judges of the
Court of Common Pleas of Madison Co., his term of office
being in the years 1806, '07, '08 and '09. He was also
Supervisor for fifteen years. Judge Lyon lived the remain-
der of his life on the farm he first took up. His son,
Ekphas Lyon, lived there after him. The original frame
house he built is still standing. In his neighborhood there
are three of those old mansions standing which were built
when the country was new. These belong to the families
of Lyon, Burton and Card.

Jeremiah Blair was one of the early settlers in this town
and his descendants still reside here. Matthew Blair set-
tled in the Knox neighborhood. The Blairs were from
Blandford, Mass,

Jesse Carpenter from Wooster, Mass., settled in Erieville,
in 1808. Elijah and William, his sons, settled here also,
the latter subsequently moved to Ohio, while Elijah re-

N2

626 MADISON COUNTY.

mained in Erieville. From Jesse, the Carpenters of Nelson
have descended.*

It has been stated that the first death r,f a white person
in Nelson was that of Mrs. Bishop, which occurred in 1800.
This may be a mistake, as a stone in the Lyon Cemetery
bears the name of " Anna, wife of Daniel Constine, who
died May 15, I795-"

David Wellington came into this town about 1797, from
Cheshire, N. H., with a pack of clothing, constituting all his
earthly goods, upon his back. He selected his Lot — No.
137, now occupied by Isaac Blair, — in the section now bor-
dering on the West Eaton Reservoir, making his purchase
of John Lincklaen. Here he cleared one acre of land,
got in the area to wheat, built him a log house, and then
returned to Cheshire and brought on his wife. Both were
poor but they had a large fund of common sense, were en-
dowed with physical health, strength and activity, and were
skilled farmers of that day. Their log house was shingled
with elm bark, the floor was split logs, leveled off with the
ax ; the door was the only part of the house made of sawed
lumber, which was hung on wooden hinges, and its leath-
ern latch-string was pulled in every night. Joshua Wells,
also of Cheshire, came on to Nelson with an ox sled, in the
first winter of Wellington's house keeping, and stopped at
Wellington's house for a time ; and here was born the first
white child in Nelson — Palmer, eldest son of Joshua Wells,
in 1 798. Also during the same year was born Mr. Wel-
lington's oldest child, Lucy, who in process of time, became
the wife of Silas Hopkins. David Wellington was the first
Justice of the Peace in Nelson, which position he held for
about twenty years. He was a man of good judgment, capa-
ble of seeing the right and the wrong of an issue, clearly.

Job Wood, Samuel Salisbury and Benjamin Wadsworth

* Dr. Carpenter of Erieville, and Alpheus Carpenter a noted mechanic engaged
upon the railroads of Michigan, are of this family. The Harris' family among whom
are Dr. Harris and Rev. Mr. Harris of Georgetown, are descendants of Jesse Carpen-
ter.

NELSON, 5^^

came in from Bennington, Vermont, in 1802. Wadsworth
and one of the other men alternately managed the team,
which consisted of eight yoke of oxen and one horse. To
this unusual team was attached a vehicle, quite as unusual ■
two pair of ox-cart wheels, heavy axles, a long reach, and
an enormous hay-rack, constituted it! It was loaded with
hay, cornstalks, corn, &c., on which this long array of cattle
were to subsist on their journey ; also, underneath the mass
of forage was stowed away provisions, axes, log-chains, va-
rious tools, &c., for use in the new country. Mr. Wads-
worth was a lad but 16 years of age when he arrived in
Nelson. He is still living, at the great age of 86, and is
fond of indulging in the comparison of the traveling speed
of to-day with seventy years ago ; it took him seventeen
days and a half to reach here with his oxen and cart ; a
journey which can now be performed " between sun and
sun."

Eber Sweet, from Schoharie County, was an early settler
near the " Temple." Richard Salisbury and Alonzo Morse,
two pioneers, married daughters of Mr. Sweet ; he also had
sons who located near him, all of whom are now dead.

Simeon Hascall came to Nelson Irom Granville, Hart-
ford Co., Conn., in 1799. ^^ reared a large family, which
became scattered, though some of his descendants are
located in different parts of the county. There is an
anecdote related of his two daughters, which was con-
firmed by Mrs. Sally White, one of the two, who often
related it, to her childern during her life time: — When
settlements were sparse and Nelson nearly all woods, these
yound ladies went some distance through the forest to a
" quilting," starting for home in the evening. There was no
moon ; the woods soon became so dark that neither they
nor their horse upon which they both rode could keep the
path, and consequently they became bewildered. They
therefore decided that the wiser course would be to climb a
tree and remain for the night. Tying their horse to a

528 MADISON COUNTY,

sapling, they ascended a tree near by and clasped in each
other's arms, clinging in the same embrace to some of the
lateral limbs, they spent all those long, anxious hours to
daybreak. Their horse in the meantime got loose and
found his own way home. After his departure, the girls
distinctly heard the movements of some animal at the foot of
their tree, which, after snuffing about awhile went away, evi-
dently not very hungry. Morning at length relieved their
vigils, and they found their home easily ; but from that
day till their death they vividly remembered that old
fashioned quilting, and the old time iorests without roads.

Sally Hascall married Mr. Amos White, an early settler
of Nel.-on, from Spencer, Worcester County, Mass. They
were married June 24. 1804, when she was at the age of 18,
Jonas and Cyrenus White, of Eaton, are their sons. These
pioneers removed from here to Alleghany County, N. Y.,
and were long ago laid to rest.

Mr. Abijah Hyatt was first a settler in Nelson, where he
reared a family of eleven children, who have nearly all lo-
cated themselves in Madison County. His sons settled in
Fenner as farmers, and were prominent in society. Mr.
Hyatt was a leading man in the M. E. Church of Nelson
Flats, and was beloved and respected. Francis A., son of
Aaron Hyatt, is his grandson.

Dea. Palmer Baldwin was an early resident in Nelson
Flats. He took a conspicuous part in the busy scenes of
active life, was distinguished for his strict integrity, straight-
forward, honorable dealing, and general usefulness. He en-
joyed through his lifetime the confidence and esteem of
community. Mrs. Baldwin was also extensively known, re-
spected and beloved, and her influence in the society in
which she moved, was of a tendency to elevate and purify.

Francis Norton came from Connecticut to Cazenovia in
1800, and about 18 10 or '12, removed to the south part of
Nelson, settling on the farm which is now owned by Daniel
Moore. His large family are settled in this and adjacent

]flELSON. 52Q

towns. One of its members, Davis Norton, was well
known for many years as Deputy Sheriff ; he also held
other offices. Francis Norton, jr., has been for several
terms a Justice of the Peace. Joseph Norton, another
member of this family, is a lawyer of ability and influence.
In the family burial ground, upon the old Norton farm, for
many years could be seen the quaint head-stones so gener-
ally in use fifty years and more ago.

Nelson early became most exemplary in her zeal to pro-
mote the cause of religion, which \i , no doubt, the founda-
tion of all that sobriety and conservatism which has ever
characterized this people. As early as the year 1800, many
of these children of puritanical New England, felt the want
of a leader to institute an organized band of the followers
of Christ, to resist the insiduous approaches of sin and
folly, which was making its way into the new settlement. In
the absence of religious services, the Sabbath was fast de-
generating into a day of visiting, amusement and recre-
ation.

In the northeast " Quarter," which was earliest settled,
this religious movement first began, and such men as
Aaron Lindsley, Deacon Moses Smith, Josiah Booth,
Luther Doolittle, Jedediah Jackson, Thomas Tuttle, and
others, of this, then quite numerous settlement, set about
the good work, and obtaining the services of Elder Calvin
Keys, a reformation preacher of some note, from Massa-
chusetts, they organized a society. Meetings were held
for a season in their primitive log tenements, but in a short
time their congregations became too large to be contained
in these humble temples of worship. Then the forest,
God's own beautiful temple, became the place of rendez-
vous, whose heavenly arches and deep *' sounding aisles"
rang with the full chorus of male and female voices in their
songs of praise.

Our ancestors had a most novel mode of conducting

630 MADISON COUNTY.

their singing, which arose from the emergencies of the
time, there being a scarcity of hymn books — perhaps not
more than one to the congregation. After the reading of
the hymn, the chorister, or person who pitched the tune,
" lined" the verses, i. e. read the two first lines, when they
were sung by the congregation, then read the next two
lines, and these were sung, and so on to the end of the
hymn. In this manner the lengthy hymns were made
lengthier still, and the cadences of their voices, though
untrained in the operatic school, rose and fell harmoniously,,
and vibrated with the melody of the heart, attuned in har-
mony with the overflowing music of the voices of the
grand and free nature all about them. Shall we say that
such praise was less acceptable to God than the more
studied musical eloquence of to-day .-'

These seasons of religious refreshment created the great-
est harmony and good will among them.

Their congregations were made up from the inhabitants,
at a distance of six or seven miles around, and were collect-
ed in a manner evincing their zeal. The farmer who own-
ed the best team, (oxen, of course,) of each street or neigh-
borhood, attached them to his cart or sled, as the season
might be, and commencing with his own neighborhood,
took in all who wished — and these were usually all who
could be spared from home — to go. As they journeyed on
toward the place of meeting, every habitation on the road
was hailed, for additions to their numbers. Should these
increase beyond the capacity of conveyance, the men and
boys gaily gave their places in the ox-cart for the accommo-
dation of women and children, and, moving forward, a stur-
dy group of men and lads, they soon out-distanced the
lumbering movements of the patient oxen.

In this manner, from a wide section were assembled con-
gregations, which for size would handsomely grace the
churches of our largest villages.

Did the weather prohibit a meeting within the verdant

NELSON. 5-, J

carpeted and green roofed temple of the forest, then the
spacious and commodious barns, which the settlers in their
prosperity were beginning to erect, were dedicated, as it
were, to the service of God. The first frame barn said to
have been built in the town of Nelson, was situated on
Cooledge street, now "Tog Hill," in which a series of meet-
ings were held.

So earnestly did these people hunger and thirst for the
" bread of life," that, in the absence of a minister to dis-
pense religious services to them, some worthy member of
the society was appointed to conduct them, and read a
printed sermon which was sent them for that purpose,
Mr. Daniel Butler, a most exemplary and worthy christian,
was often required to perform this duty. His name stands
most familiar, among others who equally performed their
duties here, owing to his lamentable death from an
accident which occurred immediately after one of these
ministrations, and which caused a shadow of deep sorrow
and gloom to pervade the community. The circumstances
were as follows : — On this Sabbath the services had been
held in Mr. Butler's barn and from his lips the sermon had
been read to an attentive audience. Earnestly and devot-
edly were the concluding services performed by him, who,
though in a subdued frame of mind, yet little knew how
short was the span of his usefulness, — how near he was to
the verge of the river over which he must soon pass.
Quietly withdrew the serious congregation, while Mr.
Butler remained to perform a few temporal labors of the
closing day. Mr. Butler, though laboring spiritually for the
flock of Christ on the Sabbath, yet labored for his temporal
needs, and cared for all of God's creatures under his pro-
tection. For this purpose, immediately after the congrega-
tion had dispersed, he ascended the scaffold of his barn, and
threw down the hay with which to feed his herd for the
night. By some fatal misstep in his attempt to jump from
the scaffold, he was precipitated upon the tines of his pitch-

632 ' MADISON COUNTY.

fork, which entered his body. He was removed to his
dwelHng in the most excruciating agony, and after two days'
suffering, death kindly released him.

Death in any form, was, if possible, something more
terrible to the whole community in that day than now,
owing to the warm social family interest the pioneers felt
for each other ; but when the dread messenger came in an
aggravated form, the whole people felt the shock. There-
fore was Mr. Butler's loss deplored by everybody, and never
was his last ministrations or his untimely death erased from
the affectionate remembrance of his friends. This is said
to have been the second death by accident which had
occurred in the early settlement of the town.

The southern part of the town, in the district of Erie-
ville, was only second in date in its church organizations,
and, if possible, seemed to out-do her sister settlements
in her religious growth. The first temple built and set
apart for religious services, was erected there by the Bap-
tist Society. This was the beginning of a permanent soci-
ety, which should make its impress upon the rising destiny
of Erieville. Had we space to record its progress, or to
devote to the other religious organizations which have
sprung up and become permanently incorporated into the
history of Erieville, the record would prove this as a pre-
eminently religious community.

Notwithstanding the even tenor of life which their relig-
ious character was marking out for them, they did not omit
the social amenities of life. Their neighborly " logging
bees " came off regularly, when the men of the neighbor-
hood turned out en masse, and took turns in helping each
other to log up their clearings, and the women all visited
his wife, making it a holiday. After the log piles were all
completed, and tea had been served, how gaily fiew the
short hours spent together among those who had been old
friends in the land of their nativity, and were now bound
together by the ties which held them to their native country.

NELSON. 5-7 o

and those of a common interest in the land of their adop-
tion. How interestedly conversed the men of the number,
quality and condition of their stock, the extent of their land
clearings, the profit of their crops, (exceedingly small, it
would seem to us,) their prospects for improvements in lands
and in buildings, and finally for society organizations and
government. All these unfoldings of the plans of each to
the other, stimulated each one to a healthy spirit of emula-
tion and final success.

While this was transpiring among the men, the women are
chatting of their manufacture of linen and wool, while their
clever hostess has perhaps taken them up the ladder into
her low-roofed chamber, to display to them her stores for
the coming winter.

These consist of maple sugar and dried pumpkin, the
only luxuries they could eke from their forest home at that
early day. The former is stored in a section of a white
maple tree, which had originally been hollow, and had been
nicely scooped out in the form of a cask. The latter are
dried in great rings, and are bundled together and hung up.
At one end of this one-roomed chamber, stands the lum-
bering loom, which is looked upon as a specimen of good
workmanship, having been constructed by the lady's clever
husband ; and from a large chest she now proceeds to draw
forth the trophies of her handiwork from that identical
Joom. My readers are no doubt familiar with the style of
the linen and woolen fabrics woven by our grandmothers,
which were also of the kind she now has produced. But
there is in the till of this chest, which came with her from
the far-off "down east," something which more than all else
attracts the attention of all. The treasured mementoes of
the dear old home are there ; the little trinkets, the locks of
hair, a few choice books, lead their thoughts and conversa-
tion into a different channel, and then tender reminiscences
are discussed, mingled with desires that their children
might have some of the advantages which it had been their

634 MADISON COUNTY.

privilege to enjoy in a land of learning and progress. The
subject of schools is earnestly discussed by these mothers,
and the advent of a teacher from the East is an event hailed
with no small pleasure.

The dangers and anxieties incident to this life were not
few, and not the least formidable of these dangers arose
from the daring encroachments of wild beasts. Encount-
ers with these savage animals were quite common, and
there were instances where their ferocity proved too much
for the agility and strength of the hunters. A circum-
stance of this kind took place in the northern part of the
town, in August, 1802, which produced much excitement
in this and the adjacent towns.

The tracks of a very large bear had been seen in the
vicinity of the house of Jesse and Abner Bump, in the
northeast quarter. Abner Bump was a bachelor residing
with his brother Jesse's family. It was on Saturday after-
noon, the farm work for the week being done, and there
was leisure for hunting ; they, therefore, resolved to follow
up the trail of the animal, whose tracks they had seen
quite fresh in the morning, and the fact that their flocks
and corn fields were in danger of depredations from this
bold desperado made its necessary to arrest its progress.
Accordingly they started in pursuit, following the track in
the direction of the Chittenango (Chittenning as it was
called) Creek, and near the town line adjoining Fenner they
overtook Mistress Bruin while following a tributary of the
Creek. She was a splendid animal, in a condition of flesh
which betokened her familiarity with the farmers* flocks and
crops — of magnificent proportions, and moved along with
perfect ease and fearlessness after beholding her pursuers.
The hunters lost no time to avail themselves of this oppor-
tunity for attack. Jesse at once fired and wounded the
bear, which so exasperated her that she turned, and exhib-
ited signs of fighting. No time was now to be lost, as they

NELSON. 635

were very near the enraged animal, and both men were
conscious that their success or safety, depended upon the
surety of Abner's shot. Instantly, Abner, though in a
bad position to make a fatal shot, raised his piece and
aimed directly at her side, hoping thereby to cripple her,
and thus keep her at bay till his brother could reload. Un-
fortunately, the gun missed fire, and the infuriated beast
was upon him in a moment, hurling her massive body
against him with such force that he was precipitated upon
his face in the bed of the shallow stream, which was close
by. Simultaneously the bear sprang upon him, and with
her huge tusks commenced the fearful work of tearing him
in pieces. All this had been acted in a very short space of
time, and so quickly, that Jesse, instead of finishing reload-
ing, had only time to grasp a club and make a leap upon
the bear the next instant after she sprang upon her victim.
His blows with the club fell heavily upon the unflinching
animal's head and nose, while fiercely tugging at Abner's
bleeding scalp, but the weapon was rotten and broke, and
fell from his grasp. The sight of his brother's bared skull
nerved him to greater energy, and as the monster's fury
had so increased on tasting human blood, that she seemed
oblivious to the assailant's attacks, he was enabled to thrust
one hand suddenly between her jaws, as she opened them
in her fiendish repast, and instantly closed his fingers with
a vice-like grasp around her tongue, and drew it savagely
forth from her mouth, while with the other hand he caught
a stone from the creek, with which, heavy and well-directed
blows were dealt on the nose of the now cowering brute
A few ineffectual struggles and endeavors to get free, and
the bear, overcome by pain and the extreme heat of the
sultry day, fell back exhausted and motionless. Releasing
his hold, Jesse turned to his brother, who lay insensible, his
head in a fearfully mangled condition. As soon as the bear
had recovered herself sufficiently, she crawled a few rods
away and lay down a short time in the stream. Anxious

636 MADISON COUNTY.

for his brother's Hfe, Jesse Bump made no attempt to arrest
the anhiial's retreat, which she soon effected. His histy
shouts for assistance were soon answered by the arrival of
some of the settlers, but by this time he found himself
scarcely able to walk, and upon examination his leg was
found to have been broken by a crushing wrench of the
vicious beast's jaws. At what time this occurred during
the exciting battle he could never tell. However, there
was no disputing the fact, as the proofs were there in the
marks of the teeth upon the limb. His wrist was also bad-
ly mangled. He was placed upon horseback and carried
to his family.

Abner was aroused to consciousness by stimulants, but
before the means for removing one in so dangerous a con-
dition could be got together, it was night, while the distance
to any habitation was considerable, and the way through
the forest very rough ; it was, therefore, decided to remain
with Abner upon the ground, and make him as comfortable
as possible through the night. The use of stimulants pre-
vented relapses during the ensuing hours, and very early
Sabbath morning, the news having spread like wildfire, the
woods were thronging with people who had come from
miles around, the anxious neighbors hastening to render
all the assistance in their power, and the suffering, dis-
figured victim was carried home on a "litter." The servi-
ces of Dr. Jonas Fay, of Cazenovia, was immediately pro-
cured, who removed the mud and debris from beneath the
scalp, and sewed together the mangled remains. He then
set Jesse's broken limb, and in due time both hunters re-
covered from their injuries.

The destiny of Mistress Bruin was decided a few days
after this encounter. She met her fate from a bullet, shot
from a gun in the hands of an Indian hunter, a few miles
down the creek. She was considered a mammoth prize,
and a fair trophy of the hunter's superior prowess.

The first fatal accident which occurred in this town,

NELSON. 5,-

happened as follows : — A new road was laid out in the
northeast quarter, and a large number of men were at work
cutting a heavy swath of timber through the forest where
it was to go. At one point, three large trees had been cut,
but had not yet fallen, being lodged one against the other,
and all sustained by the spreading branches of a small tree.
These trees had to be brought down in some manner, and
the only way to do it seemed to be to cut the small one.
All saw it to be hazardous, but there were brave darino-
men in those days ; if any hesitated to encounter the
danger, two of them did not ; these were, Randall Grover
and Ezra Booth. They voluntarily marched to the tree
with their axes. Grover struck just one blow, when down
came the heavy mass of trees crashing to the ground !
Booth barely escaped ; but Grover, probably bewildered,
sprang two or three steps lengthwise with the trees, instead
of to one side, and the massive body of one tree crushed
one side of him into a flattened, shapeless mass ! Booth,
cried out, "Grover is a dead man ! " The men all rushed to
the spot and saw that the man was indeed dead. The
horror that thrilled Booth at that moment was vivid in his
memory, when, at the advanced age of eighty-three, and
more than a half century afterwards, he related the event to
the author. It was but a short time after this relation by
the aged pioneer that he passed away — on June 3, 1866.

Another death by accident, somewhat similar to the pre-
ceding, it falls upon us to record. It happened at an early
period in the history of the town, yet it is said to be the
third fatality of the kind : — Wheadon Dutcher had taken a
ten acre job of clearing, of Isaac Mason. It was in the
spring of the year, and he had just entered upon the work
of falling the timber. He went out early as usual, one
morning to his work, which was within hearing distance
from the house. Mr. Mason observed that after the first
tree had fallen, he did not hear the sound of Dutcher's
ax, which was unusual, and fearing something might be the

638 MADISON COUNTY,

matter, hastened over to the spot. To his great dismay he
found him dead ! Dutcher had cut a basswood, which had
lodged in a small tree ; it was seen that he had commenced
cutting the small one, and the basswood had loosened from
its lodgment, merely from the vibration produced by a few
blows of the ax and came down, a limb striking him on the
head, and crushing his skull fearfully ; also, in the shock
bis ax was somehow hurled against his thigh, laying open
a deep gash. It was a singular circumstance that in and
about this ghastly wound of the ax, there was not a drop of
blood till the body was moved, when it began to flow, and
continued till every vein seemed to be drained. No signs
of animation appeared at any time. The circumstances of
this death created great sensation among the people ;
especially the copious flowing of blood after death, was held
to be then (and perhaps is still,) an unaccountable
phenomenon.

On one portion of the range of hills, where the three
Wells brothers settled, one of them, Garner Wells, stocked
his farm with mules, which gave that particular hill quite a
notoriety, it being the only place in the country around,
where any considerable number of those animals were kept.
The place then received the name of "Jackass Hill ;" but
afterwards, when the mules were no more to be seen grazing
on the hillsides, and the rough but coniical jokes, as well
as the long leathern mule whip of their master had ceased to
crack, this insignificant cognomen was dropped. There is
a story related of this locality, as follows : "Elder Tadham,
"Six Principle" Baptist, had preached at Leeville (West
Eaton) and was on his way to fill an appointment at Wood-
stock. At this point he met with the singular accident of
having his horse frightened by the sudden braying of a
mule. His horse ran, his wagon broke, and the old man
was thrown out and considerably bruised. Being from the
eastern States, he had never before seen that species of do-

NELSON. (S^g

mestic animal. As soon as he could, he rose to his feet,
wiped the mud from his eyes, and after looking at the long
eared beast with astonishment a full minute, he exclaimed,
"I don't wonder Jesus Christ was despised, if he rode into
Jerusalem on such a looking animal as that !"

In this neighborhood forty years ago, an aged couple by
the name of Childs, long residents on the town line dividing
Georgetown and Nelson, died, and were buried in a small
enclosure in their neighborhood used as a grave yard by the
early settlers. As that section became more populated and
developed, other and more eligible places of burial were
selected, and this one fell into disuse. Two or three years
since (this ground being included in a farm, and the graves
nearly obliterated,) the descendants of these aged people,
living in another part of the country, had their remains dis-
interred for removal. On being brought to view both bodies
were found to be in perfect form, with the exception of a
slightly shrunken appearance ; even the features were recog-
nizable, though they were changed to that peculiar conditio;
known as adipocere, sometimes called petrifaction. Thos<
employed to do the work had only provided themselves with
a common box as a receptacle for the remains, expecting to
find only a few bone-, after forty years' interment. The
box proved far too short for the length of the whole person ;
no conveniences to supply the want were at hand, time was
pressing, and the limbs were therefore broken off and
packed in above the heads and trunks! The location of
this old time burial place is upon the farm now owned by
Mrs. A. Holmes. It is supposed that spring water, impreg-
nated with lime and some mineral, which makes out about
the place and saturates the soil, furnished the preserving
qualities which acted upon these human remains.

INCIDENTS.

About 1807, a tremendous snow storm occurred, in the
month of April. The snow fell four feet on the level, and
lay perfectly still ; an adamantine crust formed upon it, on

640 MADISON COUNTY.

which in early morning teams were safely driven. How-
ever, a succeeding hot sun melted it away in a few days.
No storm of equal magnitude had occurred at that season of
the year since the country was settled, and it was remem-
bered, and is still, by the survivors of that day, as the "Great
April Snow." *

In 18 1 3, the fearful epidemic which swept through many
localities prevailed in this section, and many of the early
settlers were removed by it from this scene of action. In
some instances almost entire families were taken away. Dr.
Heffron, the pioneer physician, rode night and day, and
through his untiring energy and skillful treatment it is be-
lieved very many were saved.

A Reminiscence. — Mrs. Tirzah Holmes, ofDeRuyter, a
daughter of John Chase, one of the pioneers of Nelson, re-
members well that her parents started from Hoosick, Rens-
selaer Co., the day after the "great eclipse" in 1806. When
they arrived in Nelson at the point now Erieville, Richard-
son kept tavern and Tuckerman kept a store. The first
school she attended here was about a mile northwest of
Erieville, which was held in a barn on the farm of Job Wood.
The barn is still in existence. Abner Badger was teacher.
Polly Pool taught the next summer in the house of John
Chase.

ERIEVILLE.

This place was named from Eri Richardson,! one of its long
ago store-keepers. From the first this has been a place of
considerable trade. The first store was kept by Tucker-
man. Smith Dunham was the second merchant here. The
first considerable enterprise was started by Alpheus Morse
and Nathaniel Hodskin. They built a furnace and potash
manufactory, and kept store. After a time, John Elmer, of

* The author believes this to be the same long ago called the "Hitchcock Snow,"
of which the "wife poisoner" took advantage, supposing the stoim would prevent
investigation of the murder. A terrible storm prevailed at Madison Centre, where
he committed the deed.

•j- See appendix, note p.

NELSON. 64 1

DeRuyter, succeeded them in the manufactory of potash,
who continued the old works. The furnace was in existence
but a short time.

Among the merchants of the past were those above
named, also John Elmer, and George Parmalee. The lat-
ter had a very good business for some years. Amasa Jack-
son built and traded on the southeast corner. He was a
substantial and successful merchant. Norton & Anderson
were of the later merchants who traded on the northeast
corner and had a large business. Maynard & Co. are the
present firm in the same place. Mr. Burgess has also been
a substantial merchant in this place. Within a few years
and since the railroad has been opened through here, trade
has increased.

The first hotel (the upper,) was built by Eri Richardson.
About 1830 it belonged to Thom:;s Medbury, who built
it anew. Afterwards it went again into the hands of the
Richardsons and for many years was well-known as Rich-
ardson's tavern. It is now kept by H. Griffin.

The lower hotel, the "Eldorado House," was built and
kept by George Saulsbury. He sold to Andrew Hull, who
kept here for a few years. It has passed through several
haiKis and is now owned by Stephen Reed.

Erieville has a good steam saw-mill which was built by
Palmer Freeborn ; it is doing a large business. One of the
best cheese-factories in the town is located here, owned and
operated by Peter Duffy.

There are three churches in the village,— Baptist, Meth-
odist and Universalist.

Nelson Flats is a post village in the northern part of the
town. The Cherry Valley Turnpike passes through this
place, and in its early days it was distinguished for its good
hotels. Several merchants have pursued their calling in this
place. There are two churches here. This section is dis-
tinguished for its noble farms, good and substantial farm
buildings, and fine family mansions of the old style.
02

642 MADISON COUNTY,

In the northeast part of the town are a large number of
Welsh who have a church of their own.

Among the prominent and useful men of the early days,
none were more active than Asahel Jackson and Jedediah
Jackson. David Wellington stood high in the confidence
of his towns people, who placed responsible trusts in his
care. He was the first Justice of the Peace, and held this
position for many years. Judge Lyon was prominent and
influential from the first. The Knox's have held positions
of influence from the beginning of their settlement here to
the present time. In the south part of the town the
Richardsons and Nortons, wielded considerable influence.
Most of those mentioned have zealously cultivated and
developed the agricultural resources of the town. To the
number thus animated with a desire to promote the well being
of society and the interests of their town, may be added the
names of the Cases, Cards, Burtons, Wevers and Smiths.

We are wanting the necessary information to give more
fully sketches of individuals who have thus largely interested
themselves in the public welfare. We would, however,
before dissmissing the subject, add to the above list the
name of Dr. Heffron, the pioneer physician. In his pro-
fession he was widely known and was remarkably success-
ful. His success in the great epidemic of 18 13, establishevl
him here permanently in the confidence of the people. He
spent many years of a long life in this town, and on his
death was greatly regretted. Dr. L. P. Greenwood of Erie-
ville, long known as a man eminent in his profession, was
once a student with Dr. Heffron,

We add the subjoined sketch of another of Nelson's
prominent citizens.

ALFRED MEDBURY,

"Died, in Erieville, on the 9th day of August, Alfred Medbury,
Esq., aged 66 years.

The subject of this notice was born in New Berlin, N. Y., in
the j'ear 1806, He moved into Madison Co., in the year 18 18,

NELSON. 5.^

In the year 1835 he was elected Justice of the Peace in the
town of Nelson, which office he held uninterruptedly, with the
exception of a single year, until his death. He held the office
of Associate Justice two terms, and was one of the present
incumbents. In the year 1844 he was elected to the Assembly.
During the Rebellion he served the term in the capacity of War
Committeeman.

Personally he was a man of social nature, and remarkably
unassuming. He adhered with firmness to his own opinions
when established, and regarded the opinions of others with
respect and courtesy. During the thirty-seven years he held the
office of Justice of the Peace, his associations with, and business
transactions for the people, were of such a character as to win
for himself the highest respect and confidence. In all his
judicial decisions it was the right that controlled him, rather
than party or favoritism, and however dissatisfied .any might be
with the result of cases left for his adjudication, none ever
ventured the assertion that he acted otherwise than conscien-
tiously, leaving the results to care for themselves In his legal
transactions of all kinds, settlement of estates, transfer of real
estate, writing of wills, agreements and the multitudinous docu-
ments of like character which he was called upon to prepare,
it was his personal peculiarity, to make such explanations as
■would prevent one person, by any trickery or legal quibble, from
■obtaining advantage of another, without his knowledge. His
apparent carelessness, and what some have called blundering
style, has many times cleared away the mist, and exposed a
legal trap set for the unsuspecting and ignorant. The value of
such a public servant can hardly be estimated, and his loss will
be felt not only by his family and friends, but by the entire
community."

CHURCHES.

The Baptist Church of Erieville, was organized in i8ro,
at the house of Nicholas Brown, Meetings were held dur-
ing the first summer in the school house near Wellington's
Tavern. The meeting house was built in 1 821, at a cost of
$2,000, an expensive house for that period. It is a fine
building, representing old style architecture.

The Universalist Church of Erieville, was built in 1842,
Benjamin Wadsworth, Geo. D. Richardson, Reuel Richard-
son, George Wells and Nathaniel Davis, building committee
and proprietors. The society organized, consisted of about
sixty members. The first minister was Rev. Charles
Shipman.

644 MADISON COUNTY.

The Methodist Episcopal Church of Erieville. The first
class of this society, was formed by Rev. Benjamin Pad-
dock, about 1830, in a school house, nearly two miles west
of Erieville. Meetings were held by this society in school
houses and dwellings several years. When the school
house was built on Main street, meetings were held
regularly there. About 1850, the society was reorganized,
when the meeting house was built. Moses L. Kern was
pastor in charge at that time. John Crawford was the first
settled pastor. This society belongs to the Nelson Flats'
charge.

There have been several different societies in town, which
have now no existence. Among them may be named the
old Presbyterian Church, which built the meeting house
now belonging to the Welsh.

The old Baptist Church of Nelson also built a meeting
house, which is located in the east part of the town, sout'.i
of the turnpike. It is now used for meeting, of various
denominations.

SULLIVAN.

645

CHAPTER XIV.

SULLIVAN.

Boundaries. — Geography. — Ancient Home of the Oneidas.

Home assigned the Tuscaroras.— The Great Trail. — Traversing

Armies — Vrooman's Adventure and Its Disastrous Results

The Nine Pioneer Families of SulUvan. — Destruction of
Their Homes. — Relics of the Vrooman Expedition. — Lewis
Dennie. — First Road Through. — State Road and Seneca
Turnpike. — Various Land Tracts. — Early Settlers. — Sketches
of Pioneer Experience. — Discovery of Gypsum Beds. — Can-
aseraga Village. — Its Progress. — Chittenango and Its Early
Enterprises. — Discovery of Water Lime. — Building up of
Manufactures. — Polytechny. — First Fourth ot July Celebra-
tion in Chittenango. — Prominent Men. — Early Railroad Pro-
jects. — Chittenango Springs. — Bridgeport. — Incidents. —
Northern Sullivan. — Biographical Sketches of Hon. John B.
Yates and Others. — Churches.

Sullivan was formed from Cazenovia, February 22, 1803.
In 1809, Lenox was formed from Sullivan. The town was
named after General John Sullivan, who made this section
famous by his march into the Iroquois country. It is the
northwest town of the county, and is bounded north by the
Oneida Lake, east by Lenox, south by Fenner, Cazenovia
and Onondaga County, and west by Onondaga County.

The surface of this town is level over something more
than its northern half; to the southward, hills rise success-
ively, till they merge into the bights of Fenner, where the
out look reveals all the great plain of woodland, broken
with but few clearings, with the lake beyond. Directing the

646 MADISON COUNTY.

vision to various points, the villages, the farms, the streams,
the roads — in fact all the external features of the broad
town are spread out to view. The soil of the level por-
tions is strangely analogous to the prairie soil of the west.
Even the climate of northern Sullivan, as well as the form-
ation and general aspect of its surface, seems as unlike
southern Madison County, as if hundreds instead of a
score or two of miles lay between. Probably no town in
the county has received, geographically, such decided
changes as this. Could the departed shades of the ancient
Oneida chiefs revisit their native homes, they would scarce-
ly believe that here were their old time fisheries, their well
stocked hunting grounds, their well trodden trails. The
arts of the white man have changed everything. Two
streams with their tributaries, traverse the town, and their
courses were guides to the hunter and pioneer ; in and
through these were found the elements of change. The
Chittenango, or " Chittening" as it used to be called — the
name given one of these streams by the Indians, signifying,
" waters divide and run north," — holds good its ancient
course, save here and there, where some enterprising firm
or individual has straightened its tortuous way. It is a
powerful stream, rushing musically down over and among
its rocks, entering the town at Lot No. 20. O. R.* Not idle
or listless, the Chittenango applies itself vigorously to the
use of numerous mills and mechanical works, until, far
along the level country, it becomes less impetuous, and
leisurely winds to the westward, gathering volume from
numerous tributaries, after which it becomes still more
placid, and passing on, marks the western border line of
this part of the county. Dense pine forests overshadowed
it, and decayed trunks of fallen trees, only, bridged its waters
in the early days. Now the broad sunlight gleams upon
its rippling surface ; green fields stretch away from its mar-
gin ; numerous bridges span it here and there. The Erie

* Oneida Reservation.

SULLIVAN. 647

Canal in its acqueduct bed, rests above and across it at one
point ; the Central railroad trestle bridge spans it at anoth-
er, the heavy trains crossing, scarcely agitating the calm
its waters have there found.

The Canaseraga, receiving the tributaries of numerous
springs upon the northern slope of the watershed in Fen-
ner, holds its early pathway over the falls at Perryville, as
it did eighty years ago, but has changed from the then very
good sized torrent, to a thin stream, during the summers of
the last quarter century. Moving across the Canaseraga
flats, it enters the " Great Swamp," and sluggishly courses
its way onward. In the midst of the swamp, on Lot 123,
it is joined by the united streams of the Canastota and
Cowassalon, (called " Canastota," after the junction,) which
adds volume and dignity to the black, sluggish, westward
flowing Canaseraga, trailing through rank shrubbery,
decaying forests, and among the morasses of the almost
impenetrable swamp. From the pecuhar shape and form,
as taken together, of all these tributaries to the main
stream, and then the graceful curving of the latter on to its
mouth to complete the figure, the Indians gave it the appro-
priate name of " Canaseraga," signifying " Big Elkhorn,"
which the whole closely resembles. Until about fortv
years ago the Canaseraga kept a westward course till it
reached the Chittenango, where the two united formed a
stately river, to be poured into Oneida Lake.

The " Great Marsh " south of Oneida Lake, four or five
miles wide, extended the whole breadth of Sullivan, and
mostly of Lenox. The Canaseraga wasted its waters over
thousands of acres of this swamp ; and over the " Vlaie," or
"Fly" as it is called; at certain seasons of the year
the water stood four feet deep.* This Fly was the
Canaseraga Lake of the old maps. Although this great
morass lay higher than Oneida Lake, the intervening

* Mr Austin P. Briggs, of Bridgeport, states that when a boy, 45 y^'" ^go, he
found fine skating upon the Fly, the water being four feet deep under the ice.

648 MADISON COUNTY.

ridge of about a mile in width prevented drainage, and
many thousand acres were rendered worthless. There
were those, however, who invested money in this unre-
claimed land, and in the course of years a plan for their
recovery was developed.

Col. Zebulon Douglass, with others, took the work in
hand, and by appropriations from the State, an artificial
channel for the Canaseraga was cut through to Oneida
Lake. The declivity from the point where the Canaseraga
was tapped, (Lot 1 18,) is sixteen feet to the mile, to Lakeport,
where a handsome stream pours into the lake. The old
channel of the Canaseraga wound its course around on the
northern parts of Lots 18, 19 and 21, and southerly on
Lots 22 and 1 14 (O. R). It was hoped that the new and
deep channel would prove quite effectual in draining the
marsh ; and although the most sanguine expectations were
not realized, yet a large amount of land has been reclaimed
by the means, and the swamp exhibits a widely different
appearance to that presented to the pioneers. The natural
meadows or Vly,* comprising some 3000 acres in the midst
of this swamp, became more dry, and although too wet for
tillage, yet by annual cutting of the wild grass upon por-
tions of it, the husbandman found that cultivated grasses
took lodgement in the rich soil. Not a tree or stump de-
faces the monotonous level of this broad expanse ; its tall,
rank weeds and coarse grasses, wave like a sea in the wind,
from out of which is heard the myriad voices of a world of
insect life ; nothing, it seems to the writer, can exceed the
loneliness of this region, should one be compelled to con-
template it long alone. The "Cazenovia and Oneida Lake
Stone Road," crosses the Vly, and the time will doubtless
soon arrive, when the domicil of the husbandman will cheer
the desolate plain.

When the project ot building a road across the Vly, was

*"Vly," or "Fly" is the Dutch construction of the word, "Valley." [See
Valentine's History of New York, p. 72. ^

SULLIVAN. g.g

broached, many inhabitants opposed it, because the town's
taxes would necessarly be increased. There was a mer-
chant at Bridgeport, who was the leader and speaker against
" the impracticable scheme," as he called it, " in which the
appropriation would be thrown away, — sunk literally, in the
worthless marsh." He denounced the project and its leaders
on all possible occasions, and frequently declared in public
that he "did not want to live longer than the time that
should see the first wagon cross the Vly." Prominent men
in Chittenango and vicinity — Robert Riddle, John I. Wal-
rath, Edward Sims, David Riddle, Jarius French, Thomas
French and others, — took hold of the work. In winter,
when the Fly was passable, they explored it, and selected
their route, and the following summer a party consisting of
these men and their wives crossed it in a procession of
wagons ! It is not necessary to describe the many mis-
haps which the party encountered — the upsetting of vehi-
cles, the sloughs they were obliged to bridge, the careful
picking of the way, while the ladies walked or rode as
the necessities of the case here and there demanded ;
suffice it to say that jests and jollity seasoned the adven-
ture through all its perils, and that they crossed the Fly,
with horses and wagons all safe, reached the Lake Road,
and in due time arrived in Bridgeport, where, after a sump-
tuous hotel dinner, the embassy called on the said merchant
and advised him to prepare the ceremonials for his own
funeral, as the time he had so often named as the desirable
one at which to close his earthly existence, had arrived !
This joke upon the merchant was fully appreciated by the
people. The adventure had much to do in gaining the
appropriation asked of the town, which was two thousand
five hundred dollars, to be paid in installments of five hun-
dred dollars yearly. To this was added private subscrip-
tions, amounting to three thousand dollars more. So the
road was laid through, which gave access to the reclaimed
land of the swamp. In 1848, it was improved by planking,

650 MADISON COUNTY,

having become a part of the DeRuyter, Cazenovia and
Oneida Lake Plank Road. Subsequently it was superse-
ded by the present macadamized road.

There can be Uttle doubt but that the Fly was once the
bed of a lake, as the soil to the depth of several feet is
muck, underlaid with marl, and abounding in shells in per-
fect form. Vertical stumps three feet below the surface,
and smaller ones near the surface, indicate that two forests
have existed there in the ages past, as since the earliest
inhabitants no timber has been there, and the same verdure
abounds now as then. The reclaimed lands of the Great
Swamp, are fast being converted into productive farms,
while steady encroachments are being made upon the wide
waste, opening more and more of it to the sun-light ; yet
there is still a large tract lying useless. Prof Guerdon
Evans, State Surveyor in 1853, stated the amount of swamp
lands in Sullivan and Lenox, to be more than fifteen thous-
and acres.

Farther into the remote centuries of the past than pen
has traced, all this region was the home of the Iroquois ;
but we have record that an English traveler, Wentworth
Greenhalgh, penetrated this country in 1677, when the
Oneidas were a nation perhaps not two hundred years old,
and Oneida Lake was called "Teshiroque," and this land was
known only as so many leagues of travel between the
Oneida and Onondaga Indian Villages. The century fol-
lowing, government agents came occasionally from New
York and Albany to look after Indian interests, contract
for peltry and brighten the chain of friendship, and who, in
their journeys traversed the Great Trail through Sullivan
and sped in light Indian canoes over Lake Oneida. From
the date of Greenhalgh's travels, however, through the
next half century, frequent emissaries of the French
government, the Jesuits, and sometimes the Jesuit fathers
themselves, made the denizens of Sullivan's forests, streams,
plains, morasses and the lake, familiar with their presence.

SULLIVAN. 6^1

During the disturbances between the French and English
nations, wherein the Iroquois was the bone of contention,
these tribes, exasperated by constant irritation, occasionally
seized upon white agents and Indian spies and hurried them
over the familiar trail from one village to the other, to be
disposed of as their great Sachems in council should decree.
On the occasion of their grand yearly conventions at the
central Council Fire, Onondaga, the trail through Sullivan
bore its share of travel, and Lake Oneida was alive with
fleets bearing to that convention or council the dusky
mass of delegates irom the Oneidas, Mohawks, and the
several remnants of eastern tribes who adhered to the
skirts of the Confederacy.

The claims of the 2Cxd refugee Tuscarora nation of South
Carolina, were canvassed by the Oneida Chiefs during a
wayside halt for rest on the spot where the unpretentious
village of Canaseraga now is. These Chiefs, when before
the august body of Sachems in solemn Congress at Onon-
daga, laid before it the case of those weak and impoverished
brethren, with characteristic chivalry and magnanimity,
extending with one hand brotherly welcome, and with the
other pointing to their own fair domain said, "our door is
open, let them enter; our fires burn brightly amid the
Oneida hills (Stockbridge); there they may warm and rest
themselves ; nay more — our lands on the Canaseraga are
smooth and fair ; there they may build their own fire, raise
their own corn ; our streams are full of fish, our woods,
with bear and deer ; we say to them abide with us — be
our younger brothers ;" to which the body of Sachems
assented, repeating with one voice "be our younger brothers!"
And so it transpired that in the year 171 2, the Tuscarorans
were formally adopted into the Confederacy. A part of them
took up their abode at the home assigned them by the
Oneidas on the Canaseraga Flats,* where they built their
stockaded village, which in the time of Sir William John-

* Many of them, however, located at Stockbridge.

652 MADISON COUNTY.

son, between 1750 and '70, was a village of no little impor-
tance, where Sir William often stopped on his way to the
annual Indian Congress, and where once, in the year 1769,
he found the Indians greatly afflicted at the death of a remark-
able Chief of theOnondagas ; of this occurrence he says: —
'' I was obliged to perform all the ceremonies on that oc-
casion."

Because of the peaceful nature of the Oneidas and Tus-
caroras, we have not the horrible and bloody record to pro-
duce for Madison County that marks the history of some
other sections and localities where the aborigines had their
home ; yet, as will be seen, our northern border, like cen-
tral Oneida, had its sanguinary scenes, though chiefly from
causes not local, from the date of the earliest records to the
close of the revolution.

This town being contiguous to Oneida lake and bear-
ing through its soil the Chittenango and Canaseraga — the
former stream navigable six miles by batteaux, and both, a
century ago, navigable some distance farther by the Indian
canoe and light craft of the white man — has furnished more
historical incidents connected with the revolutionary strug-
gle than any other portion of the county. During all the
\vars with the Indians of New York and the war of the rev-
olution, numerous fleets in movements of aggression or re-
treat, moved over Oneida Lake ; and all along the Great
Trail the solitudes of northern Madison County have often
resounded to the tread of disciplined white soldiery in battle
array. The years 1779 and 1780, were memorable ones in
the history of Central New York, and upon the soil of Sul-
livan was traced some of the records of those eventful years.
It was the period when our country was bleeding and groan-
ing under the repeated outrages and barbarities of the British
and Indians, such as the massacres of Wyoming and Cherry
Valley, when Gen. Sullivan was ordered into the country of
the Six Nations to carry out the plan of retaliation which it had
become necessary to adopt, in order to weaken the strength

SULLIVAN. 5c-

and spirit of the savage enemy. Gen. James Clinton com-
manded the eastern division of this expedition, and while he
prepared to descend the Susquehanna and join Gen. Sulli-
van in the Seneca country by the southern route, he de-
tailed Col. Van Shaick, assisted by Col. Willett and Major
Cochran for the one against Onondaga. On the 19th of
April, 1779, Col. Van Shaick left Fort Stanwix (Rome,)
with about 550 effective men ; they moved from Fort Stan-
wix to the Onondaga village in the short space of three days
notwithstanding the bad, rainy weather, and encountering
the swollen streams and morasses south of Oneida Lake.
Col. Van Shaick was successful ; the Indians fled on his
approach and their wigwam hamlets upon Onondaga Creek
were speedily devastated. This part of the work of retalia-
tion accomplished, he returned to Fort Stanwix without the
loss of a single man. This expedition passed through the
village of the Oneidas at Oneida Castle, and the village of
Canaseraga. The Indians at these points, though as a rule
friendly to the Americans, were yet at times wavering dur-
ing the successes of the allied enemy. Col. Van Schaick's
bold and energetic movements reassured them and gave
them confidence in our armies ; and both tribes — the Onei-
das and Tuscaroras* — immediately sent deputations to Fort
Stanwix to renew their promises of faithfulness and to
biighten the chain of friendship. On the 20th of Septem-
ber of the same year, Gen. Sullivan, while laying waste the
Seneca country, dispatched Col. Gansevoort with one
hundred men to Fort Stanwix ; they were chosen men, and
were to proceed to the lower Mohawk Castle by the shortest
route, destroy it, and capture if possible all the Indians
there. The last clause of the order of Gen. Sullivan read
thus : — "As your route will be through the Oneida country,
you are to take particular care that your men do not offer
the inhabitants the least insult ; and if by accident any

* At this time a large part of the Tuscaroras resided at their village in Stock-
bridge, known then as "Tusearora."

654 MADISON COUNTY.

damage should be done, you are to make reparation, for
which I shall stand accountable. From your zeal, activity
and prudence, I trust every precaution will be taken to exe-
cute these orders to the advantage and honor of the United
States." Col. Gansevoort gives the following account of the
manner in which he executed his mission, wHich is extract-
ed from his report : — "Agreeable to my orders, I proceeded
by the shortest route to the lower Mohawk Castle, passing
through the Tuscarora and Oneida Castles, where every
mark of hospitality and friendship was shown the party. I
had the pleasure to find that not the least damage nor in-
sult was offered any of the inhabitants."

This " shortest route" from the country of the Senecas
and Onondagas to Fort Stanwix, was by way of the trail
before mentioned, passing through south of Oneida Lake.
It was already a thoroughfare when the first white inhabi-
tants came to this town. Its course was direct from Onei-
da Castle to Chittenango, keeping south of the highland
above the plaster bed of Mr. Patrick, between Canaseraga
and Chittenango, coming down the hill obliquely near
where the excavation for the Chittenango railroad of 1836
was made, and crossed the creek on the body of a large
sycamore tree, which was lying across the stream as late as
1804, a little above the turnpike bridge; then passed upon
the high land above and south of the ravine through which
the present road passes, to Col. Sage's, once the " Moyer,"
and now known as the " Osgood farm." At this point, was
seen many years ago, the remains of a stockade inclosure
and here was also a large Indian Orchard. From the last
named point it passed on and out of the county at the
noted " deep spring," the " eastern door" of the Ononda-
gas. The route of the trail was followed, on the construc-
tion of the old " State Road," the latter subsequently
becoming the " Seneca Turpike."

In the summer of 1780, the year following Gen. Sulli-
van's campaign, the Indians under Brant, fired up to the

SULLIVAN. 655

pitch of madness by the merited devastation of their coun-
-try, determined upon a campaign which should at least off-
set the injury done themselves, if it did not result in exter-
minating the inhabitants of Tryon County. For this pur-
pose a force of Tories and Indians was collected which inva-
ded the Mohawk country, carrying devastation through
that beautilul valley, and destroying, in July, the village of
Canajoharie. The terrible scenes of Cherry Valley and
Wyoming were to be re-enactd if possible. In the month
of October, Sir John Johnson and Brant, collected in great
secrecy, at LaChien, an island of the St. Lawrence, a mot-
ley band of about eight hundred men, mainly Canadians
and Indians, which force, with batteaux well filled with
stores and ammunition, passed up the St. Lawrence, through
Lake Ontario, quickly ascended the Oswego river, thence
forward on the Oneida branch, entered and crossed Oneida
Lake, and soon reached its southern shore. They then
passed about six miles up Chittenango Creek and landed
upon its eastern bank, in the town of Sullivan. There was
a palisade inclosure here, which had been constructed at
some former period by the French ; this they immediately
put in repair. This is, perhaps, a mile south of the junc-
tion of the Black Creek, (the former Canaseraga,) with the
Chittenango, at a bend in the latter, and a few rods east ol
its bank, on a sand hill, where the precise location of the
palisades is marked at this day. The farm house and barn
upon Lot No. 5 1 occupy the ground of the inclosure.

The heaviest boats were moored at the junction, while
the lighter ones were near the palisades. A sufficient
j'uard was left to protect the boats and stores, and to hold
them in readiness for removal at any moment. The body
then marched to the Scoharie country to join the tories m
that region.

The forces now collec<-ed unde.- Johnson, Butler and
Brant, burned Schoharie the ly^h of October, and on the
1 8th, burned Caghnewaga. From there they marched to

656 MADISON COUNTY.

Canada Creek at Klocksfield, where they halted for the
night, after having a slight engagement with Gen. Van
Rensselaer's forces. Early in the morning, Van Rensselaer
discovered that the enemy had fled during the night, intend-
ing to reach their boats at the Chittenango by the shortest
route. Gen. Van Rensselaer pursued as far as Herkimer,
and from here forwarded an express to Fort Stanwix, in-
forming the commandant there where the enemy's boats
were concealed, and ordering Capt. Walter Vrooman, with
a strong detatchment, to hasten forward to Chittenango
Creek, and destroy them and the stores. The latter officer
with a force of fifty men hastened with all possible speed
to that point, took the guard left there prisoners, destroyed
the stores and sunk all the boats but two, in which he inten-
ded to return with his party and prisoners. By some means
Sir. John Johnson had been notified of this movement, and
sent a detachment of Butler's rangers with a party of
Indians to intercept Vrooman, who was by them surprised
and captured with all his men, while they were at dinner
preparatory to their embarkation ; they were made prison-
ers without the opportunity of firing a single gun ! The
Canadians and Indians were greatly exasperated on finding
their boats sunk, their stores rifled and destroyed, and two
pieces of cannon buried under the waters of the creek ;
they however succeeded in raising some of the boats to
assist their escape. While the regular troops of the force
were hastening their arrangements for departure, the savages
gave vent to their ferocious revenge by torturing the
prisoners. Three men were massacred ; their blood moist-
ened the earth where now stands the yeoman's home oi
peace. A large pine tree standing upon the brow of '* Sand
Hill" marked the spot of this barbarity, upon which the
savages engraved the insignia of the tiibe who committed
the deed — the rude form of a turtle — and which, as a monu-
ment, stood for half a century afterwards. A fourth prisoner
was taken across the river into Onondaga, where he was bar-

SULLIVAN. 5.7

barously tortured for their fiendish amusement ; he was
bound at the knees and ankles, and compelled in that cou-
dition to run the gauntlet of two parallel rows of Indians,
all armed with clubs, whips and other weapons, each eager
to get a blow at their victim. He was promised, that should
he succeed in getting through the line without serious in-
jury, his life would be spared. Impelled by the powerful
instinct of self-preservation, and endowed with great muscu-
lar force, the prisoner made nine extraordinary leaps along
the line, while all withheld their upraised weapons in
amazement. At the tenth leap he was struck down, beaten
with clubs, then tied to a large pine tree and roasted alive !
This tree, also having the mark of the " Turtle Tribe," car-
ved on it, was standing until a few years since, and was
known as the " Turtle Tree." The miraculous efforts of
the prisoner created much wonder among the Indians ; the
impress of his feet in the earth at-each leap, was marked
and preserved ; and every year, on the anniversary of this
Indian summer day of blood and barbarity, that tribe made
a sort of pilgrimage to the spot to examine the tree and re-
new the carving, and to impress anew the foot-marks in the
sand. At such times dances were held about the tree, the
frightful memories of the event were rehearsed in all their
minuteness, the horrible scene re-enacted in tragic farce !
The fleetest and most muscular Indians, in attempts to per-
forms those leaps, unbound, could scarcely equal them. As
late as 18 15, these visits were annually made, being distin-
guished to the last with such wild pow-wows and fiendish
exultations as seemed sufficient to summon to the scene the
spirits of the foully murdered, whose blood and ashes min-
gled with the soil upon which they held carnival ! Captain
Vrooman,who was a fine specimen of the Mohawk Dutch, was
made to carry a large pack on his shoulders, placed there by
the Indian who claimed him as his prisoner. This pack was
a striped "linsey woolsey" petticoat, stolen from some good
"vrow" in "Stone Arabia," and was filled with plunder. Its

P2

658 MADISON COUNTY.

weight was taxing his strength to the utmost, when he was
recognized by Col. Johnson, who enquired why he carried
it ? Capt Vrooman informed him, when Johnson cut its fas-
tenings with his sword and let it fall to the ground. In a
short time the Indian keeper observed it and in great anger
replaced the burden, threatening death if he refused to bear
it. They had proceeded but a short distance when Sir
John again observed the Captain toiling under his load,
when he again immediately severed it from him and placed
a guard around him to prevent further insult or injury from
his captor. In a few minutes the latter re-appeared with
uplifted tomahawk, threatening vengeance ; but meeting a
guard of bristling bayonets he sullenly fell in the rear, be-
ing obliged to shoulder his pack himself. Shortly after-
wards, while crossing a stream upon a log, this Indian with
his pack fell into the water and would have drowned but for
the assistance of his comrades. He, however, held a grudge
against Capt. Vrooman and watched all the way to Canada
for a favorable opportunity to execute his threat. On ar-
riving at Montreal, Vrooman was incarcerated in prison
where he remained two years. Of his command, who were
also imprisoned, a portion survived their long years of cap-
tivity and returned, first, to their homes on the Mohawk ;
but they remembered the rich and beautiful country south
of Oneida Lake and to that inviting section they, with their
families, soon directed their steps.

In March, 1790, nine families whose heads were of the
Vrooman party, came to the flats of Canaseraga and erected
their homes. Their names are given as follows : — Captain
(afterwards General,) Jacob Seber, Garrett and George Van
Slyke, John Polsley, John Freemeyer, James and Joseph
Picard, Jacob, David, and Hon Yost Schuyler. Selecting
farms adjoining each other, they opened clearings and planted
and sowed crops. A most fruitful harvest rewarded their
labors and they were becoming delighted with and attached
to their new homes ; but, unfortunately, they had locTted'

SULLIVAN. gcq

upon the rightful possessions of the Oneida Indians, who
naturally looked upon them v/ith a jealous eye. At this
time the opening of the Genesee country to immigration
drew numbers of white explorers and settlers thitherward,
who followed the long trodden Indian trail through this por-
tion of the Oneida Reservation, and too many of them, re-
membering Indian atrocities, forgot or disregarded' the
peaceful demeanor of the Oneidas and were guilty of many
depredations, which irritated the natives far and near. Con-
sequently, the little company at Canaseraga and their doings
were watched with suspicion. Day by day the ill will of
the Indians increased, when,the grievances of the Oneidas be-
coming unbearable, they laid a statement of their case be-
fore their long-time friend and counselor, the Rev. Samuel
Kirkland, Indian Missionary, whose influence prevented
violence. By his advice they submitted their case to the
Governor of the State, who ordered the settlers to remove.
This the latter neglected to do ; and in 1791, the complaint
being repeated, Col. Colbraith, the Sheriff of Montgomery
County, (of which this county was then a part,) was sent
with an armed party of sixty men to dislodge them. The
steadfast, inflexible Dutch, who had endured the hardships
of the revolution, were unmoved by entreaties and unawed
by commands or threats, and refused to submit and remove.
Col. Colbraith then ordered all the movable effects to be
taken from their dwellings and placed at a safe distance
from the scene, and then burned their houses and cabins to
the ground. Says an eloquent writer* speaking of this
scene : — "The dream of a permanent home vanished, the
hardy pioneers, homeless and houseless, were yet indomita-
ble. Sullenly they watched the smoke driving away from
their tottering roofs ; the Indians gathered around in quiet
groups with hearts more full of sorrow for the white man,
than joy for justice secured them by righteous laws. They
proved that the savage breast enshrined virtues and princi-

^^ Guerdon Evans, author of map of Madison County, 1853.

65o MADISON COUNTS.

pies not inferior to their white brothers. Their triumph
was complete and tempered by acts worthy of record. They
led the discomfited settlers to the grounds near which the
pleasant village of Chittenango is rising into importance,
and granted to them under proper arrangements abundant
space for settlements. Cabins were soon erected — hunting
and fishing supplied their early wants until the earth could
yield its abundant stores."

We extract further from the same writer : — "The present
Judge Seber, (185 1) was then ten years old, when his
father's house was destroyed ; this family with a few others
removed afterwards to Clockville, in the town of Lenox.
Judge Seber relates an incident connected with the early
residence of his father's family in Madison County, confirm-
ing portions of this narrative.* He states that while a bare-
footed boy, passing through the woods with his father, he
stepped upon some sharp substance, attracting their atten-
tion, which upon examination proved to be a bayonet
attached to a musket, covered by rubbish. Continuing
their search, a stack of muskets which had fallen to the
ground was discovered. These relics roused up the
recollection of Vrooman's adventure, which the old man
related to his son, seated on a log, with the fragments of
that expedition then lying at their feet. Alluding to the
sinking of the boats, he remarked, * they were sunk in the
creek near this place, let us look for them.' Then rambling
along the shore of the creek, they found one boat near the
bank, sunk, appearently filled with sand."

There was a rumor long prevalent in this section, that in
the hurry and confusion of escape Sir John Johnson lost his
military chest containing a large amount of specie, said
to have fallen into the Canaseraga creek in an attempt
to cross that stream. Be this as it may, we have the state-
ment of Robert Carter, one of the old settlers, that at one
time since he resided here, a party of Canadians came to

* Much of the accoant of Vrooman's adventure is drawn from Evan'j sketch.

SULLIVAN. 55j

this place ostensibly to raise the boats ; they kept their
operations while engaged, as secret as possible, and were
silent as to the object of raising them, they being then
worthless. When they abandoned their project, they com-
municated to Mr. Carter the fact that the object of their
search was to obtain the money chest of Sir John Johnson,
but they had failed to discover it. Seekers after the lost
treasure have appeared at this place quite recently ; a large
curb could be seen a few years ago at the Canaseraga outlet
which had been sunk upon the supposed lucky spot, which
was used in one of these vain researches. John Adams,
one of the earliest surveyors on^the southern border of
Oneida Lake, and the late Judge John Knowles, both of
whom settled here in 1805, noticed the pickets erected at
the landing place, and found near there portions of muskets,
knives, hatchets and bullets ; fragments of the boats have
long rested among the driftwood on the shores ; all of which
we mention as interesting relics of the scenes of violence
which preceded the planting of civilization in Sullivan.

Many Oneidas as well as Tuscaroras lived at Canaseraga,
and as it was on the Oneida Reservation travelers called
this also "Oneida Village." When the first white settlers
came to Sullivan, there were many Indian houses here, and
ten or more on the hill west of the creek, where Hiram
Brown now lives — Lot No. 2. There is something, even
to this day, about the hills in this vicinity which looks
particularly romantic ; as if the spirit of untamed nature
still revelled in her own — especially when autumnal dyes
have flung their tints over tree, bush and fern, does it re-
mind one that it was once a favorite abiding place of the
Indian. All around the village were their cultivated
patches of ground of two or three acres each, fenced and
unfenced ; their cattle roamed at will through the forest,
and kindly enough, on his advent among them, did they
grant the white man's herds the same privilege.

The most prominent Indian families at this point, at the

662 MADISON COUNTY.

time of its settlement, were the Dennies and Doxtators,
who owned vast tracts of land in various sections. Lewis
Dennie, (or Denny, also elsewhere mentioned) the head
man, a patriarch among them, was of French parentage,
born upon the Illinois about 1740, and when eighteen years
old came up in the French war with a French officer to
fight the Five Nations, and was taken prisoner by the;
Mohawks, among whom he married. He adopted the In-
dian customs and became a power among them. By those
who remember him, Dennie is said to have been a small
man, not over 5 feet 8 inches in hight, with very light blue
eyes, but with a voice of great depth and power.

The Dennys of St. Louis, Mo., are the same family
to which Lewis Dennie belonged. The manner in which
the name is spelled has become changed by one family or
the other. Lewis Dennie had four sons and one daughter,
John, Jonathan, Martinus, Lewis and Polly. John Den-
nie kept the first tavern of Canaseraga, and built the first
frame house there in 1800. His daughter Sally became
the wife of a very fair and handsome Dutchman, by the
name of John Garlock ; she was a good woman and very
wealthy in her own right. One of John Dennie's sons
was sent to New Hartford to School, but it is said there
was too much native in him to confine his mind to books.
John Dennie lost his life in 1807 or '08 by wrestling with a
Dutchman named Hartman Picard ; it took place at Cana-
seraga during "general training," an occasion in that day,
when wrestlers congregated to try their strength, and both
these men were famous for their prowess in that direction.
Lewis Dennie's sons were large, finely built, good looking
men, inheriting a good degree of the physical make-up of
their mother, who was a large, noble looking woman. She
was esteemed a very good woman by her white neighbors.
Martinus Dennie is well remembered for his jest upon his
race ; — " Me no Indian, only French and squaw !" — which
he used to repeat frequently. Polly Dennie, the only

SULLIVAN. 55^

daughter of Lewis, was a fine looking girl, quite fair, pos-
sessing amiable qualities of disposition. She married An-
gel DeFerriere, a Frenchman, who came to this country
during the French Revolution, and went first to Cazeno-
via with Mr. Lincklaen. He was very wealthy, and Mr.
Dennie was very proud of him, it was said, as a son-in-
law.

The first emigrants came by way of the Indian trail,
but the same year, 1790, in June, James Wadsworth came
through on his way to the Genesee country, and cut a
track through wide enough for a wagon ; and by laying
causeways and bridging streams, made a passable wagon
road. The State soon made appropriations for this route,
by which the road was widened and improved, and was
then called the " State Road," over which emigrant travel
steadily increased. In a few years the State Road passed
into the hands of the " Seneca Turnpike Company," and
still greater appropriations for its improvement were made.
The road then passed over the high hill called " Canasera-
ga Hill," southwesterly from Chittenango ; the company
improved the route by changing it, avoiding many of the
steep and rough passes on the old road. The new route
took a more northerly course, diverging from Chittenango,
the course it follows at the present day. After this com-
pany took it in hand, it became the famous " Seneca Turn-
pike," over which a flood of travel poured for many years.
It was indeed the chief of turnpikes, unrivaled, it was said,
by any in the Empire State.

The State purchased the Oneida Reservation, piece by
piece; hence different tracts were surveyed by difterent
persons and at various dates, so that great irregularity is
seen on maps in regard to the numbers of lots. The seeker
for facts among the map records, would become puzzled
in the location of lots, were it not that the particular res-
ervation or purchase is stated in initials with every lot
mentioned, thus :— Lot No. 24 of G & S. T.. (Gospel and

664 MADISON COUNTY.

School Tract,) which can be distinguished on reference to
a map from Lot No. 24, 2 M. S., (Two Mile Strip.) The
Oneida Reservation, (designated on records as O. R.,) orig-
inally embraced the whole of this town, and was named in
conveyances many years after its cession to the State, as
the " northwest part of the Oneida Reservation." From
the year 1797, to the date of its purchase by the State, the
south boundary of the town was the south line of the Res-
ervation. The " Two Mile Strip" was purchased of the
Oneidas from this Reservation. It contains twenty-four
lots, in four tiers, two tiers lying in the west part of Lenox,
and two tiers in the east part of Sullivan ; its south border
is a part of the south line of both towns. To the west of
Two Mile Strip was a tract of six lots, commonly designa-
ted as "West of 2 Mile Strip." At a very early date, part
of this tract was conveyed to the following persons : — " Lot
No. I to John Van Epps Wemple ; Lot No. 3 to Conrath
Klock ; Lot No. 4 to John Klock ; Lot No. 5 to Charles
Kern ; Lot No. 6 to Arnold Ballou." North side of Two
Mile Strip was a tract of eight lots. In a conveyance reg-
istered in the Chenango County Clerk's office, date of May
1 8th, 1803, John Wollaber is named as the purchaser of
Lot No. I ; also at the same date, John Klock of Lot No.
4. Each of the lots were 250 acres. Other purchasers of
this tract were John Schuyler, Lot No 2 ; Sylvanus Seeber,
Lot No. 6 ; Michael Day, Lot No. 7 ; Joseph Alcott, Jr.,
Lot No. 8. The " Bell Tract," lying each side of the Cen-
tral railroad, extending from the Canaseraga to the Chitte-
nango Creek, containing fourteen lots, was purchased by an
Englishman named Bell. Citizens of Sullivan, desiring to
purchase this land, sent Dr. Beebe to England for that pur-
pose, who bought the whole tract, ?nd it became the farms
of different individuals. North of the Bell tract lay the
" 40 Rod Strip," purchased of the State by Dr. Jonas Fay,
Old maps point out several other tracts, one of them known
as the " Varrick Location," purchased of the State by

SULLIVAN. 56e

Richard Varrick,* of New York city, all of which are des-
ignated on Evan's map of 1853, by the letters ABC
&c.

But a few years after the pioneers proper had come in,
the central part of Sullivan, which the State road had opened,
was settled by the families of John G. Moyer, John Wal-
rath, Capt. Timothy Brown, Solomon, David and Joseph
Beebe, Peter Ehle, Timothy Freeman, David Burton, Wm.
Miles, John Lower John Keller, Peter Dygart, Ovid
Weldon, Nicholas Picard, Philip Dayharsh, John Matthews,
Zebulon Douglass, and Martin Vrooman, of the family of
Capt. Vrooman.

The first birth in town was Peggy Schuyler ; the first
death, a child of David Freemayer. John G. Moyer built
the first saw mill and grist mill about ahalf mile south of Chit-
tenango village, near the old distillery. Jacob Schuyler
kept the first tavern after John Dennie.

Incidents connected with the above named families and
of their pioneer life have come to our knowledge, which well
illustrate the state of the country and some of the experien-
ces of the inhabitants at that day : —

Zebulon Douglass came from Columbia County in March,
1796. On his way he stopped at Utica at the house of
Clark & Fellows, who were keeping store in a little hut.
The Seneca Turnpike had not been worked all the way as
yet, though the line had been laid to Oneida Castle. West
of the Castle the State Road was exceedingly poor and in
that month so bad as to be nearly impassable. Douglass
had been advised to take up land, soon to be in market,
which lay a mile and a half east ofDennie's ; but being dis-
couraged on account of bad roads he retraced his steps to
Westmoreland, stopping there at a friend's for the summer.
A few months later he decided to again look at the lands of
Sullivan. Going over the footpath of the Oneidas he found
the country much dryer than in March, and decided to lo-

*Rkhard Varrick was mayor of New York in 1789.— Probably the same.

666 MADISON COUNTY.

cate. Obtaining board at John Dennie's, he erected a house
on land east of Canaseraga, and leaving it for a friend to
finish, returned east for his family, returning with them in
1797. On reaching their abode they found a floorless and
chimneyless tenement, Mr. Douglass' friend having neglect-
ed to finish the dwelling as agreed on ; however, Mr. Doug-
lass soon made it habitable, and in the clearing he made
around it got in some early spring crops. His daughter,
Appalona, was born here in 1799, and was the first white
child born in this district. In the fall of '99 he opened tav-
ern keeping here. He added to his farm also from time to
time until it embraced 365 acres of valuable land. He kept
the first post office at "Oak Hill." He was also chosen
Captain- of Militia and passed through several grades to
Colonel of the regiment, by which title of distinction he was
afterwards known. The Colonel was an energetic, ambi-
tious man and devoted himself largely to the improvements
of the country.

John Owen French, from Williamsburg, near Northamp-
ton, Mass.* settled between Canaseraga and Chittenango
in 1805.

Jacob Patrick settled in the immediate vicinity before
1800. He discovered the first plaster bed — between Cana-
seraga and Chittenango — in digging a well, which led to the
finding of others. This one, it is said, was worked as early
as 1810 ; to bring it into more extensive notice the discov-
ery was advertised, the advertisement being endorsed by the
names of Benjamin Drake, Robert Stewart, Gilbert Caswell
and John Lewis, vouching for the truth of the statements
made. This advertisement is found in the "Cazenovia Pilot,"
date of August 22d, 18 10.

Among the early settled families of Chittenango was that
of John H. Walrath. who came in the year 1808, from
Rome, Oneida Co., his native place being Mindon, Mont-
gomery Co. Himself and son, Henry I., had contracted to

* See close of this chapter.

SULLIVAN.

6^7

construct a section on the Seneca Turnpike in this district,
which was the direct inducement bringing him here. In
the autumn of this year he brought his family and was
domiciled for the winter in a small house located where the
parsonage of the Reformed Church now stands, on the hill
road leading to Canaseraga ; there is a conspicuous land-
mark to designate this spot.* Mr. Walrath only occupied
this house during the winter ; in the spring he moved to a
farm of lOO acres that he had purchased across the creek,
which is still known as the "Walrath farm," and is owned
by his grandson, Abram Walrath. It was mostly forest,
but he immediately opened clearings and began improve-
ments. He had a large family when he came, with whose
combined energies the farm developed and flourished, and
abundantly rewarded their labors. Mr. Walrath died in
1 814, when only 48 years of age. His widow with
characteristic energy went on with her life work, reared her
family to industry and usefulness, and with the help of her
boys, paid for the farm and established a home of com-
petence. Five sons and two daughters grew to nian and
womanhood, most of whom and many of their descendants
became citizens of Sullivan. The names of these sons and
daughters were : — Henry I., John I., Abram, Daniel, Fred-
eric, Mary and Elizabeth. John H., the father, was born
October 12th, 1766; Magdalena, the mother, October 9th,
1764. They were married February nth, 1787.! The
mother survived till April 9th, 1853, dying at the ripe age
of %^ years. When Mr. Walrath came, there were but
three or four houses where the village of Chittenango stands.
The land through the north part was mostly a quagmh^;

* In front of the parsonage grows a pine and oak tiuln tree, apparently from the
same root so interlaced are the roots of the two. Their bodies are joined at the
base as one, but the oak, growing straight, asserts its individuality and has com-
pelled the pine to bend to its own unyielding nature. In accommodating its libres
to the other, the pine winds diagonally partially around it and then shoots upwaM
like its twin mate, their branches interlocking, while the crown ol the pine stands
well above the other. The two, so intermingled, present a peculiar and interesting
appearance.

I See appendix Note q.

668 MADISON COUNTY.

the streets here have been filled up in some places three
feet, in others as much as six. The "Park" and the land
about it, when the "Bethel " was built, was a mud pond ;
and the school house, situated in the midst of it, is well
remembered by the oldest inhabitants (who were school
children then,) as standing upon stilts, having a long pla'ik
leading from the dry ground up to the elevated door, and
as having a most uninviting play ground.

Canaseraga was the first village of the town, and yet it
had but few white families before 1805. Capt. Timothy
Brown before mentioned, settled there that year. He was
from Williamsburg, Mass. Hiram Brown, who lives on Lot
No. 2. is the only one of his family left here. Isaac Holi-
burt had been a merchant in Canaseraga but had failed.
Besides the tavern of John Dennie, there was one kept by
a Mr. Drake, in 1805. On account of the turnpike, taverns
abounded. The first frame house, as before related, was
built by Dennie ; the next was built on the front of a log
house by Solomon Beebe. This log house had been occu-
pied by Cornelius Doxtator, an Indian, in which he had
also kept tavern. David Burton came in 1806, and built
the next frame house. The next store after Holiburt was
kept in this house by Samuel Chapman ; it is still standing
(1869,) owned and occupied by Mrs. Sarah F. Frederick.
John Klock built a house, also for a tavern, which is
yet standing and now owned by Thomas French, Esq., son
of John Owen French. This village in 18 10, was the cen-
tral point for all the country west of the circle of Quality
Hill ; town meetings, general trainings, and other public
meetings were held here. Settlements pushed on into the
wilderness in various directions ; at a point on the present
line of the Erie Canal, a number of Massachusetts people
formed a settlement and called it " New Boston."

In 1 8 10 the census gave Sullivan 318 heads of families,
with a population of 1794 inhabitants. This census report
adds : — " The Chittenango Hill, known to travelers as the

SULLIVAN. 66g

" Canaseraga Hill," over which the Seneca Turnpike passes,
is near a mile on that road, from the base to its summit'
and is of considerable magnitude. The creeks, Canaseraga
and Chittenango, furnish good mill seats in abundance ; the're
are three grain mills, six saw mills, and some carding
machines now erected, besides several other buildings.
There are three school houses and a meeting house now
building." Canaseraga had 35 to 40 houses and two stores,
while New Boston was stated to be a " handsome, compact
settlement, two miles north of the turnpike."

In 1823, Canaseraga was incorporated as "Sullivan Vil-
lage ;" but Chittenango had begun a substantial growth and
Sullivan Village remained stationary. The N. Y, S. Gazet-
teer of 1840 states that " there is no attention paid to the
act of incorporation now." It contains about one hundred
and fifty inhabitants, twenty-five dwelling houses, one free
church, one tavern, one store, one grist mill. This place
again took on its name of Canaseraga..

CHITTENANGO.

This village had many natural advantages in its favor ; a
beautiful location, rich soil and an unequaled water power ;
besides it was the point where the Cazenovia road intersect-
ed the Seneca turnpike. The village commenced about
18 12, when Judge Sanger and Judge Youngs, of Whites-
town built the saw mill and grist mill, the latter being on
the spot where stands the mill of Ransford Button.

In 18 1 5, Robert and David Riddle built the tannery,
which materially added to the prosperity of the place. In
1 8 14 or '15, Elisha Carey built a large and fine hotel, which
afterwards became the Polytechny building. Not far from
1815, came Dr. Samuel Kennedy, James Kennedy, Dr.
Samuel Fuller, Thomas Livingston, John B. Yates and
others, all of whom were enterprising men, and added the
stimulus of wealth to the rising village. John B. Yates
was especially conspicuous, being a man of great wealth
and largeness of heart ; he became in a decided sense the

6/0 MADISON COUNTY.

patron of the village of Chittenango. He built a plaster
mill about i8i8, from which he sent out large quantities
of plaster ; subsequently he manuiactured water lime on a
large scale.

The Erie Canal became emphatically the means of pros-
perity to Sullivan, as it opened to the great markets the
wonderful resources of this region. The discovery of water
lime, the first in the State, was brought about accidentally in
the efforts of contractors on the Canal to furnish lime in
sufficiently large quantities for the masonry work required
in its construction. It was the purpose of contractors to
make use of common quick lime on account of the great ex-
pense of hydraulic cement. Mason Harris and Thomas
Livingstone, of Sullivan, entered into a contract to furnish
a quantity for the middle section, and opened quarries on the
land of T. Clark, Esq. It was found the lime thus obtained
lacked the usual characteristics of caustic lime. Canvass
White and Judge Wright, two engineers taking an interest
in the matter, examined it. Dr. Barton, a scientific gentle-
man of Herkimer, was called to experiment and if possible
ascertain what it was. He broke a quantity in the trip-
hammer shop of J. B. Yates, of Chittenango, burned some,
pulverized it in a mortar, and after mixing it with sand rolled
a ball and placed it in a bucket of water for the night. In
the morning it had "set" and was solid enough to be rolled
across the floor. It was pronounced to be equal to the best
Roman cement. Mr. White obtained a patent for making
this cement, but his rights were evaded for many years ;
builders in their ignorance permitted prejudice to warp their
judgments ; and though used on the canal structures, it
made its way to public favor very slowly. Great exertions
were made to invalidate Mr. White's patent, which was
eventually (in 1825) compromised by legislative action of the
State, paying to him $10,000 for his right and throwing it
open to the people.

In 1824, Mr, Yates built the woolen factory, a stone struc-

SULLIVAN. 57J

ture, which was merged into the "Broadhead Factory;" this,
(afterwards greatly improved,) was burned in 1865, causing
a loss of $60,000. In 1866, James Broadhead had rebuift
the factory (again of stone,) on a highly improved plan, and
put in cotton machinery. He sold the property in 1867
to "Hintermister Brothers."

While manufactures, mechanics, and mercantile pursuits
flourished under the influence of the growing wealth, there
were men and means at hand to elevate the standard of ed-
ucation and religion. With this high purpose in view Mr.
Yates, in 1824, or '25, purchased the inn of Elisha Carey
and established therein the Polytechny, an institute of learn-
ing, under the presidency of Dr. Andrew J. Yates. This
school was famed far and near for its generous plan and ex-
cellent management.

Before the last named date, the school house in Chitte-
nango had been conveniently arranged for holding religious
services, and all societies used it; hence its name, "The
Bethel." Perhaps the oldest religious society was the Pres-
byterian, of whom in 1816, there were about twenty mem-
bers. These obtained preaching irregularly from a minister
by the name of Johnson, The Reformed Dutch Church,
however, was originated soon after, and immediately became
prominent. The Presbyterians joined them and built a
church about 1828; the latter however, increased, and in
1833, they formed a separate body and built their own house
of worship.

The first Fourth of July celebration in this village took
place in 1828, which, as we now read it from the worn pages
of the "Madison Observer and Recorder" of that day, is in-
vested with a charm which only time can give. We copy :

"The fifty-second anniversary of our national independence,
was this day for the first time celebrated in the village of Chit-
tenango. A large number of the neighboring inhabitants, to-
gether with the villagers, assembled ujDon the occasion, to pay
due respect to the day which gave us birth as a nation, and to ex-
press our gratitude for the happiness and prosperity which we
enjoy under our republican institutions.

(iJ2 MADISON COUNTY.

The day was ushered in as is usual on such occasions. At lo
o'clock in the morning the line of procession was formed in front
of the Polytechny, under the direction of Col. Sage, Marshal,
and Adj't Dunham, Assistant Marshal. The procession then
moved through the village to the green in front of the church,
where a spacious arbor had been prepared by the committee of
arrangements for the exercises of the day. After an appropriate
and impressive prayer by Rev. Mr. Sherman, and martial music
bv the Cazenovia band, the Declaration of Independence was
read by Daniel B. Cady, Esq., and an oration, written in elegant
and classic style, happily portraying the situation of our country,
was delivered by Andrew J. Yates, Esq., of the Polytechny ; af-
ter which, a set piece of sacred music was sung by a number of
the students of the Polytechny, and a benediction pronounced
by Rev. Dr. Yates. The procession then returned to the vil-
lage, and at 2 P. M. about two hundred sat down to a dinner
prepared by Col. George Ehle, in a style befitting the occasion.
His table was filled with the choicest productions of the country;
and his dinner was served up in a manner satisfactory to his
guests. After the removal of the cloth, a set of patriotic toasts
were drank, accompanied with music and firing of guns. At 5
o'clock P. M. the company dispersed, and thus closed the first
celebration of our National Independence in the village of Chit-
tenango, impressing upon the minds of all the virtue of republi-
can institutions and the inestimable value of liberty."

At this period, prominent among Sullivan's citizens were
Judge John B. Yates, Rev. Andrevvr J. Yates, Dr. Samuel
Fuller, William K. Fuller, A. T. Dunham, Judge Sylvester
Beecher, Dr. Samuel Kennedy, James Kennedy, Thomas
Livingston, George Ehle, Henry H. Cobb, Robert Riddle,
Daniel B. Cady, Jarius, Thomas and Samuel French, Peter
Collier, Abram Walrath, John Adams, Zebulon Douglass,
Henry Anguish, Judge Knowles. The influence of these
men was felt in various directions. Some of them were
legal and political gentlemen, who exerted their influence in
correcting many abuses which had crept into the adminis-
tration of law in the country. Sunday mails were protest-
ed against and finally abolished ; and imprisonment for
debt so long continued after the law was abolished, was
inquired into, and the wrong stayed. No men labored
more earnestly to correct the last named evil than some of
the prominent men of Sullivan.

SULLIVAN. g^

In 1832, the first newspaper of the town, the " Chitte-
nango Herald," was established by Isaac Lyon, who con-
tinued it many years.

During the intervening years, from 1827 to 1836, the
first projects were up for railroads in this county. At the
time of the agitation for the Chenango Canal, the question
of a railroad from the north line of the County to the Che-
nango was discussed. Its route was to follow the Chenan-
go valley, so as to obviate the necessity of a canal, and its
western or northern terminus was to be at Chittenano-o.
This proposed road was considerably advertised* ; and the
exports of Sullivan from the gypsum beds, and the hydraul-
ic and limestone quarries, besides the convenient point from
which to transfer salt from Syracuse and Salina, were made
items of no inconsiderable importance in favor of the road.
The canal, however, was pushed through, and the project
dissolved. But still a road was felt to be needed throuo-h
from the Erie canal to the southern towns, and prominent
men of Chittenango, Cazenovia and DeRuyter, entered
upon the preliminaries of such a work with earnestness.
The names of John B. Yates, Perry G. Childs, Robert Rid-
dle, J. D. Ledyard, John Knowles, George K. Fuller, Ben-
jamin Enos, and others, appear foremost in the enterprise.
Railroad meetings were held along the proposed route,
which it was desired should extend from Chittenango to
DeRuyter, and further as soon as practicable. A company
was formed, subscription books opened, and ;^ 70,000 was
subscribed. Judge Yates agreed to build the first mile
from his own private means. The preliminary surveys
were made and the work of grading commenced at Chitte-
nango in 1836, when Judge Yates was taken ill and died.
The work ceased, and the road was ultimately abandoned.
Had Judge Yates lived, quite probably this road would
have been a success, and the present C. & C. railroad might
not have been. In 1839, the Syracuse & Utica railroad

* Madison Observer and Recorder, March 29, 1828.
Q2

6/4 MADISON COUNTY.

was opened, and thus a new source of prosperity was given
the town. The increased activity in trade was marked.

In 1825 the population of Sullivan was 3,130; in 1830,
4.048; in 1840, 4,390. Chittenango village contained in
the latter year, 1,000 inhabitants, one hundred and eighty
dwellings, three churches, a large woolen factory, two large
water lime factories, one flouring mill, three taverns, ten
stores. The Gazetteer thus gives its location, etc. : — " It is
situated one mile south of the Erie Canal, with which it is
connected by a side cut.* The Syracuse & Utica railroad
has a depot near the village. The Chittenango Sulphur
Springs, one mile south of the village, is a place of great
attraction. The Polytechnic Institute is situated in this
village." •

Chittenango village was incorporated March 15, 1842.
The first village officers were': — Robert Riddle, Alfred
Bellamy, Daniel Walrath, George R. Fuller, James Crouse,
Trustees ; Abner P. Downer, Edward Sims, Hiram Curtis,
Assessors ; Daniel F. Kellogg, Joseph P. Plank, Alonzo
Bishop, Fire Wardens ; Oren A. Thompson, Collector ; Geo.
Grant, Treasurer, Henry H. Cobb, Clerk.

The iron foundry and machine shop was built about 1833,
Daniel Walrath, proprietor. The paper mill was built by
Paddock, about thirteen years ago.

The Chittenango Bank was originated by Abner P.
Downer and Jeremiah Gates, (both now deceased,) in
the year 1852, It received its charter April ist, 1853.
Original capital, ;^ 105,000. Its first officers were: — Geo.
Crouse, President ; Geo. Grant, Vice-President ; David H.
Rasbach, Cashier. In 1864, it was changed to the " First
National Bank, of Chittenango," with a capital of $150,000.
Present officers, Robert Stewart, President ; Peter Walrath,
Vice-President ; B. Jenkins, Cashier. This is one of the
most reliable banks of Madison County. Its capital has
been largely increased.

*The Episcopal church now stands where was once the canal basin.

"i l>

SULLIVAN. ^»j,

NEWSPAPERS OF CHITTENANGO.

The Chiitenango Herald was established in 1832, by
Isaac Lyon, and was published successively as the Chit-
tenango Republican, the Phoenix, and \hQ Democratic Gazette,
until 1856, when it was discontinued The Chittenano-o,
Madison County, Times, was established in 1870, by Mr A
White, ' ' •

THE YATES POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE,

This institution was founded by John B. Yates, in 1824.
The building was purchased by him of Elisha Carey, it
having been built in 18 14 for an inn. Rev. Andrew Yates
brother of John B., was first President, and continued in
that position till 1 832. It was a very popular school, having
students from all parts of the Union. Judge Yates sustained
the school with its corps of six professors, giving to students
the most liberal advantages, at a great pecuniary sacrifice to
himself In 1832, it was closed for want of adequate sub-
stantial support to maintain its generous plan. On the death
of Mr. Yates, in 1836, when his estate came in process of
settlement, the building was bought by Henry Yates, who
deeded it to trustees for school purposes, the name being
changed from " Polytechny," its original name, to " Yates
Polytechnic Institute." Between the years 1832 and '^j,
it was used again as a hotel, Samuel M. Rowell, proprietor.
In 1837, it was re-opened as a school under the supervision
of Rev. George W. Thompson, and continued for five years
with varied success. In 1843, it passed into the hands of
William Velasko, who continued as principal until 1861, the
students numbering most of the time from 150 to 200, with
from 40 to 80 boarders. During Mr. Velasko's term with
the Institute, he had 3,200 different scholars, who were from
all parts of the States. Since 1861, four different princi-
pals have carried on the school, with a degree of success
not always satisfactory pecuniarily. The last Principal,
J. W. Hall, endeavored with unremitting care and effort to
restore it to the high standing of its better days, and in a

5^6 MADISON COUNTY.

good degree succeeded, though pecuniarily unprofitable. In
1 87 1, it closed as an Institute, and opened under the
arrangement of a graded school, having four departments.
It has a fine library and philosophical apparatus, and has
been furnished with all that pertains to an institution con-
ducted on the College plan. About ;^ 12,000 has been ex-
pended during 1871, for repairs, improvements, and arrange-
ments made for the several departments. The accompany-
ino- engraving represents the Polytechnic Institute as it was
in 1844, while under the supervision of William Velasko.

CHITTENANGO SPRINGS.

This place is situated upon land first taken up by a Mn
Diefendorf, who sold to Peter Collier. Mr. Collier located
here and obtained a deed of the land directly from the
State. In 1824 or '25, he cleared the land around the
springs and opened a wagon road to the place, it being
previously accessible only by way of a foot path over the
pinnacle of the ridge. West of the creek was a poor
wao'on road, which was improved at the same time, as it
connected with the new one penetrating to the springs.
Milton Leach lived there in a small house in 1826, and
kept a grocery, and also opened a shower bath bouse for
the benefit of visitors. Mr, Collier erected a good build-
ing about 183 1 or '32, part of which is incorporated with
the present springs buildings. He kept boarders and a few
invalids, and improved the shower house. Judge Horatio
G. Warner purchased the property of Mr. Collier, and
after a time sold it to Holmes & Richardson ; then Rich-
ardson sold his interest to his partner, and the latter
brought the Springs into extensive notice not far from 1840.
New and improved buildings were then erected ; the
springs made attractive ; drives, promenades, arbors, bath-
ing rooms, in short every thing in vogue for pleasure and
comfort, was instituted to make the place an attractive
resort.

SULLIVAN. g--

The Springs are situated two miles south of Chittenango
village, and are of easy access by way of an excellent
macadamized road direct from the depot. Since the first
building up of accommodations about 1840, they have been
from time to time improved till the present admirable
appointments were attained. It is a popular waterincr-
place, with every convenience for promoting the comfort
and amusement of the invalid or devotee of pleasure ; hot
baths of the mineral waters with efficient medical supervi-
sion ; charming drives, boating, fishing, bowling, billiards,
croquet, music, &c.

The water has been critically analyzed by the best chem-
ists in the State and pronounced equalled by only one other
spring in the country — the "White Sulphur Springs," of
Virginia — in medical qualities. The following is a state-
ment of an analysis of one pint of water from each of these
Springs :-^

Carbonate of lime,
Sulphate of lime,
Sulphate of magnesia,
Sulphate of soda.
Chloride of calcium.
Organic matter,

Their curative properties are greatly recommended by
medical men.

A new mineral Spring, the water of a bluish color, has
more recently been discovered near the hotel ; the water
has a remarkably tonic effect.

At different dates the patronage of the Springs has been
very large; in 1870, under the management of C. W.
Reicks. the number of guests during the year was upwards
of 10,000.

BRIDGEPORT,

Messrs. Isaac and John Delamater made a settlement at
the Chittenango Rifts, or Rapids, as the place was then
called, in 1802. Judge John Knowles, John Adams, Esq.,

WHITE SULPHUR

YATES,

i>33

0,88

8,22

3.11

12,75

1,66

trace

0,14

trace

trace.

67S MADISON COUNTV.

and others, settled in that neighborhood about the same
time. There is a sudden fall in the Chittenango Creek here
of about ten feet, which yields an immense water power,
which is very little employed. It is a famous place for
taking suckers and other fish, early in the spring, and from
this circumstance has been denominated the sucker bank.
It was once a great place for taking salmon. It was not
uncommon to take them from the nets weighing from
twelve to twenty-five pounds. Before dams were erected,
they were taken as high up as Chittenango Falls, twenty
miles above the outlet. Schooners of two hundred tons
have been built and launched for the lake trade at Bridgeport;,
previous to the building of the canal.*

From a sketch in the Madison County Directory the fol-
lowing extract is made : —

"The first settler in the vicinity of Bridgeport, was Capt. Ro-
sel Barnes, now living in Illinois, He built the first framed
house having previously kept tavern in a log one. Mr. Rector,
father of Capt. John Rector, of Bridgeport, was among the first
settlers, his son having resided here for sixty years. Barrels
were manufactured there at an early day, taken down Chitte-
nango Creek, through Oneida Lake and Three River point,
thence to Salina, where they were exchanged for salt. * * *

Mrs. Cuppenoll, an aged lady living at Bridgeport, and daugh-
ter of Mr. Carter, relates that when she was first married, her
husband used to change works with a friend at a distance, leav-
ing her alone sometimes for a week. On one occasion, before
he left home she prepared for their supper a dish of thickened
milk. It being late, she deferred washing the kettle, but filling
it with water, set it outside of her cabin door and retired. This
door was only a 'rag rug' hung up temporarily. During the
night she heard what she supposed to be the fighting and
scrambling of dogs over her kettle, and only wondering where
they all came from, she gave herself no further trouble and went
to sleep. Early in the morning she was awakened by the hal-
looing of her nearest neighbor, who having heard the howling
of a pack of wolves near her dwelling in the night, and knowing
the frail character of her door, fully expected to find that she had
been devoured by the ravenous beasts. Her kettle was licked
clean but no damage was done. Afterwards, until her husband's
return she slept in the loft.

* Clark's Onondaga makes the abqve statements.

SULLIVAN. 570

In addition to the pioneers already named, we may mention
the following, who canie at a late date, and whose descendants
are scattered throughout this region : — Briggs, White, Eastford,
Owen, Crownhart, Dunham, Hosley and others.

At Owen's Point, are several Indian mounds, supposed to
contain the remains of Oneida Chiefs. Near one stands a lar^-e
beech tree, hollow and open at one side, from which it is said the
skeleton of an Indian was once taken."

Although the numerous wild beasts kept the settlers in
venison, yet bears in their depredations destroyed more than
their carcasses profited the hunter. Flocks were often dec-
imated by wolves. Fifty-three years ago at Brigg's Bay,
from a good sized flock of sheep, seventeen were killed in
one night by wolves. They were troublesome all over the
town. Mr. French states that in 1809 Elisha Swift, of Can-
aseraga, had five calves killed by wolves in one night. He
became instrumental in getting a law passed whereby a
bounty of forty dollars per head for every wolf killed, was
granted. Deer have been known to feed with the cows in the
wood, and when the latter was driven up at the close of day,
lie down for the night, and as the cows returned in the
morning, join them again for the day. Hunting became a
lucrative business.

The customs of that day were quite different from those
at present. The people went much in batteaux on the lake
and streams. There were Indians everywhere. Fleets of as
many as thirty canoes were often seen crossing the lake,
laden with Indians.

Rev. Austin Briggs, originally from Connecticut, in 181 2,
was the pioneer minister of this region. He first settled in
Manlius on his "soldier's right" but soon found he had a
spurious title. On discovering this he took his family and
effects and came to Sullivan, on the shore of Oneida lake,
and there lived in a log house. He afterwards built a house
about two miles east of Bridgeport. Rev. Briggs belonged
to the M. E. Conference ; was for a time local and then or-
dained minister. In his clerical labors he traveled through
out the northern part of this and Onondaga Counties, where

6SO MADISON COUNTY.

he was well known. He traversed the new country on horse-
back, and often on foot, on account of bad roads, and some-
times in canoes on the lake and rivers. Austin P. Briggs,
Esq., of Bridgeport, is a son of Rev. Austin Briggs.

NORTHERN SULLIVAN.

Some considerable progress had been made in settling
the central and southern portions of Sullivan, while the
northern part, bordering on Oneida Lake, was yet a wilder-
ness. Chittenango and vicinity was settled several years
before the woodman's ax was heard along the lake shore.
Sometime during the year 1811, a man by the name of
Fogger came and built a cabin on what is now familiarly
known as " Randall's Point," about a half mile northwest
of Lakeport. At that time there was no regularly laid out
road along the lake shore. Fogger stayed about three or
four years, and then disappeared from the scene, leaving
no other memento to those who should come after him, than
his name as associated with the Point, now known as we have
just said, as Randall's. Tradition, however, if nothing
more, will keep alive the name of Fogger, and that point of
land to the northwest of Lakeport, extending out into the
lake, in conjunction with a similar point on the east, form-
ing what is familiarly called "the Bay," by the inhabitants,
will be associated with his name, regardless of what may
have been his life's career elsewhere.

About this time, the settlement of the country round
about the place known as Lakeport, may be said to have
actually commenced. Reuben Spencer, who had been a
sea-faring man in his younger days, and who was of good
Connecticut stock, arrived on the scene accompanied by
his wife, and set himself down to make a permanent settle-
ment. He purchased a large tract of land, beautifully sit-
uated on the lake, through which ran a creek of consider-
able volume and rapidity at the time, and on which, subse-
quently, was erected the first saw mill in the vicinity
of Lakeport. Mr. Spencer, who lived to be an old man.

SULLIVAN, 68 1

and to see all of his numerous family of children mar-
ried and settled in life, with children of their own, departed
this life some ten years ago. Those who knew him best
have always spoken of him as an excellent man. His wife
was greatly respected, and was in all respects a " strong
woman." She had considerable knowledge of medicines
and nursing ; hence was a useful woman withal, in those
early times. She died a few years before her husband.
Mr. Spencer was a great story teller, and during the last
few years of his life, lived almost entirely in the past, pay-
ing but little attention to passing events around him. He
could tell a story to the last, and tell it well, and no one
delighted more than he, when the apple harvest was over,
and his cellar well supplied with the rich juice and the
delicious fruit, to treat with good stories and good cheer,
all who called upon him. Mrs. Spencer was an eminently
pious woman, attaching great importance to a public pro-
fession of religion. She was a member of the M. E.
church at the time of her death.

The same year that Mr. Spencer came, there arrived also
two others from Connecticut, Mr. Zina Bushnell, and Mr.
William Williams, the former, from Saybrook, the latter
from Brandon. Several others from other parts came about
the same time and settled farther east on the lake shore,
on what is now known as the " Tract." Deacon Reuben
Bushnell and Mr. Cadwell may be mentioned as among the
most prominent in settling and in shaping the early histo-
ry of their section of Northern Sullivan. They, with oth-
ers, came, fully imbued with New England ideas, and when
they became sufficiently numerous to form a religious soci-
ety, they adopted the religious doctrines of Jonathan Ed-
wards, and lived them in the full faith and simplicity of
their day.

Mr. Zina Bushnell purchased a farm on the east side of
the bay, and being strong and enterprising soon made con-
siderable improvements. About this time the State Road

682 MADISON COUNTY.

was surveyed and laid out by authority of the Land Office
Department at Albany. Richard Chapman, now living,
and one of the early settlers, and also one of the most in-
telligent and reliable of men, dates the survey of this road
at 1 8 lo or' 1 1. It was a section of the main road from
Albany through the State, and when laid out there was
little else than a dense wilderness on its route. For years
the road along the lake shore was but a mere trail or foot-
path. Mr. Wm, Williams, who is still living, (1871,) and
remembers with vivid distinctness the hardships incident
to his pioneer life, is authority that bears and wolves were
often met with in the woods and seen crossing this road by
the inhabitants, when on their way and back from Bridge-
port, then a rude settlement consisting of not much else
than a grist mill and tavern.

As early as 18 18, Zina Bushnell erected a brick house,
the first brick building in northern Sullivan. The brick
were made by himself on his own farm. About the same
time the creek, known as " Douglass Ditch," was dug as a
necessary outlet of the immense quantities of water, that
accumulated on the great swamp, or " Fly," to the lake.
This ditch drained some eight or ten thousand acres of low,
swampy land lying south of Lakeport ; 8,400 acres were
made to contribute towards defraying the cost, by being
taxed $2 per acre by act of the Legislature. The whole of
this original swamp was a vast area extending east to Rome.
Mr. Bushnell, in order to accommodate a portion of the
men employed ou this ditch, and also meet the wants of
such travelers as found their way through that section,
turned his house into a tavern, and kept it as such some
five years. Mr. Bushnell had his brick house, but this was
the era of log houses, sawed lumber being difficult to pro-
cure. A saw mill was erected at Bridgeport, however,
several years before, where small quantities could be
obtained for finishing purposes ; but it was not till 1835,
that the first saw mill was built in the vicinity of Lakeport,

SULLIVAN, 532

on a little stream called " Spencer's Creek," near the lake
shore. This enterprise was accomplished by the joint
efforts of Zina Bushnell, Reuben Spencer, Merrit Kelsey
and Jacob H. Spencer. The location, however, was bad,
and the water power insufficient ; it proved to be a poor
investment pecuniarily, but it was operated some five years
and supplied considerable much needed lumber to the
steadily multiplying settlers. In 1839, Richard Chapman
and Julius Bushnell erected a saw mill on Douglass' Ditch.
For some time it was run successfully, but at last, getting
into litigation with the State, the proprietors became greatly
embarrassed, and like the saw mill last mentioned, this went
down, its owners being heavy losers. In 18 16, William
Williams, and brother, built a tannery at or near the mouth
of Douglass' Ditch. It was operated some seven or eight
years and then abandoned.

Ridgeville. — This is an old settled locality. At this place
was organized one of the early churches of the town — Presby-
terian. At one time this Presbyterian society was strong in
numbers and wealth. About 1828 they built a goodchurch
edifice.

Bolivar, a landing place on the Erie Canal, is located one
mile west of Chittenango landing. It is an old settled place.
The first Sunday School in the town of Sullivan was held
by Abram Walrath, in the house of Mr. Lincoln, in Bolivar,
about 1820. Mr. Lincoln's son William now (1870) resides
in the same house.

Fyler Settlement is a pleasant little place, located about
two and a half miles north from Chittenango Depot. At
this place there is a steam saw mill and a stave and heading
factory, owned by Mr. Fyler, from whom the settlement
takes its name. A Methodist Church was lately built here.

The murder of Robert Barber, of Coleraine, ^lass., by
Lewis Wilbur, a native of Saratoga, N. Y., on August 30,

684 MADISON COUNTY.

1837, transpired in this town near the canal, at a point about
half way between Lee's Bridge at New Boston, and Chit-
tenango Landing. The murder was committed for Bar-
ber's money. Wilbur was arrested, convicted and hung in
Morrisville, Oct. 3d, 1839. The intense and wide spread
excitement at the time, cannot be forgotten by the people
of that day.

In concluding these sketches of Sullivan, we give, by way
of recapitulation of its first thirty years, an extract from a
communication to the author, dated April 15, 1872, written
by the still firm hand and in the yet graphic diction of the
venerable Hon. Wm. K. Fuller, now of Schenectadv, who,
when he penned it, was within a few months of eighty
years old : —

"More than three-fourths of the territory of Sullivan up to the
year 1816, was a wilderness frequented by bears, deer and other
wild animals indigenous to the forests of this State. Its princi-
pal settlements by white people were along and near the line of
the Seneca Turnpike Road, which was opened to public use
in the year 1800. Before the opening of that road many immi-
grants from the east had found their way to the 'Military Tract,'
which was brought into market not long after the conclusion of
the revolutionary war ; but the improvement of the adjoining
Indian reservation, of which the northern portion of Madison
County formed a part, did not commence till some years after
many settlements had been made by white people within the
limits of that tract and west of it. Such settlements could only
he concurrent with the extinguishment of the Indian title, which
in Madison County was held by the Oneida Indians and ceded
by them to the State in limited parcels whenever impelled by
their necessities, or by outside influences of less credit to hu-
manity. The last cession was made about 1830, and the rem-
nant of the tribe (with a few exceptions,) removed, at the expense
of the State, to a tract of land near the Winnebago Lake in Wis-
consin."

Mr. Fuller adds the following just tribute : — "The rapid in-
crease of the population and wealth of the town of Sullivan sub-
sequent to 1816, was in a great measure owing to the enterpris-
ing spirit of Hon. John B. Yates."

John Owen French, who died in 1808, in the 40th year of
his age; had four sons — Horatio, Jarius, Samuel and Thomas

SULLIVAN. gg-

—all of whom were born in the town of Williamsburgh,
near Northampton, Mass., and came to Sullivan with their
father. They spent their long and useful lives here, living
within a mile of each other near Canaseraga. They be-
came men of standing and influence ; they were self-made
men, hence were strong in character and fit to lead in many
worthy enterprises ; they helped to establish order and good
society in the town of their adoption, and in turn were hon-
ored by the confidence of the people ; numerous official
trusts were committed to their care. Jarius French was
made Justice of the Peace by the Council of Appointments,
and afterwards by the votes of the people of Sullivan. He
served in this office with great ability and to the satisfaction
of his townmen for near fifty years.

Samuel French was Census Marshal for Madison County
in 1830, and Sheriff for the County from 1844 to 1847. I"
these and other positions of trust he acquitted himself with
credit.

Horatio French, besides holding many places of trust in
his town, was for many years Under Sheriff, an office which
was held also by his brother Thomas for many years. The
latter held this position on the decease of his brother Sam-
uel, whose term as Sheriff of the County he filled out ; he
was also Under Sheriff under Gen. Messenger, and on the
latter's decease filled out his term.

Dr. Samuel Kennedy the pioneer physician of Chitte-
nango, was from Coleraine, Mass. He became a graduate of
Fairfield, Herkimer County, Medical School. He com-
menced practice in Herkimer, where he married Mary Ann
Livingston in 18 15. He soon removed to the town of Sul-
livan, settling first at Canaseraga, and afterwards at Chitte-
nango, where he devoted the remainder of his life to the
practice of his profession.

Dr. Kennedy was emphatically the physician of the
people ; his ready sympathy for suffering made him emi-
nently the poor man's friend. Always obedient to the calls

686 MADISON COUNTY.

of duty, he sensed the public in his professional capacity,
whether he was paid or not, consequently his large practice
did not bring an adequate recompense. Quiet, unassuming,
and unselfish, he pursued his own course, obeying the con-
victions of his conscience without fear of the opinions of
others. He had also great energy, perseverance and
strength of character, with great liberality of views, and
quietly though firmly acted upon his principles. He was
one of the early Abolitionists, and voted for James Birney
in 1844. He died in 1849, aged 59 years.

Charles L. Kennedy, County Judge and Surrogate of
Madison County, is a son of Dr. Samuel Kennedy.

HON. JOHN B. YATES.

He was the youngest child of Christopher and Jane
Yates, and was born in Schenectady, N. Y., in 1784. His
father, an officer in the revolution, died during his infancy.
In the year 1802, at the early age of 18, he graduated at
Union College, and soon after entered upon the study of
the law with his brother, the Hon. Henry Yates. In 1805,
he was admitted to the bar, and during the seven years
following addressed himself with unremitting diligence to
the labors of the profession he had chosen. In the war of
18 1 2, he was commissioned a Captain by Gov. Tompkins
and raised a volunteer company of horse artillery. With
this company he joined the army of Gen. Hampton, and
served under that General during the unfortunate winter
campaign of 18 13, in the northern woods of this State.

At the expiration of the war he was elected Member
of the 14th United States Congress from the 13th (Sche-
nectady and Scoharie) District, term of 18 15 and '16, in
which he took a prominent and active part. After the close
of his Congressional term he removed to Utica, where he
resumed '.he functions of his legal profession. Soon, how-
ever, he changed his home to Chittenango. The Governor,
on retiring from office in 18 17, to assume the duties of
Vice-President of the United States, appointed him sole

SULLIVAN. 53-

managerof the "Literature Lotteries" of the State, con-
fidence in which had been lost by the misconduct of the
managers who immediately preceded him. In consequence
of the acceptance of this trust, it became necessary for
him to remove to the city of New York, which he did, and
did not resume his residence in Chittenango till 1825 >' but
during his residence in the city he frequently visited Chit-
tenango, to examine and direct the conduct of those in
charge of his large estate, which consisted of about 2,000
acres of land, flouring mills, saw mills, oil mill, lime and
plaster mill, woolen factory, stores, dry dock and yards for
building and repairing boats. Polytechnic school, and vari-
ous residences and other buildings. At times, as many as
150 men were in his employ. The result of his manage-
ment of the lotteries was, that he brought them to a success-
ful termination before the expiration of the time limited by
the Legislature.

He also became interested in the commercial importance of
the Welland Canal, at a time when its stock holders were
nearly sinking for want of funds, and invested to the
amount of ^137,000.

In Madison County and particularly in his adopted town,
his services were of incalculable value. He cast his influ-
ence in favor of the Erie Canal, as well as other enterprises,
ah-eady enumerated.

In 1828, he received the appointment of Judge of the
County Court, which position he held for a short period and
resigned. He was, however, subsequently appointed first
Judge of the County, which office, together with being a
Member of the Assembly, he held at the time of his
decease. Although he seemed especially fitted for public
stations, he studiously avoided political preferment and
place ; and it was only by the partiality of his fellow citizens
that he was raised to those stations of public trust which he
so nobly adorned.

Hon. John B. Yates died at his residence in Chittenango

688 MADISON COUNTY.

on the loth day of July, 1836, aged 52 years. His death
was felt as a great public calamity, and every incident con-
nected with his sickness, which was brief, was published at
every issue of the press of the country ; and when his
death was announced, it was received with heartfelt expres-
sions of sorrow and regret, and a large proportion of the
newspapers of the country were draped in mourning, for a
great and good man had fallen.

The following extract from one of the newspapers of
the day, but adds one of the many high eulogies upon his
life:

" In his death, community at large have sustained a loss.
His influence was felt throughout the length and breadth of at
least our State, if not of the country, during the last session of
the Legislature. The place of his residence must necessarily
feel the severity of the stroke of Divine Providence in this
bereavement. The whole community is agitated under its influ-
ence— its shock is universal —their loss cannot be repaired.
Not only his influence, but his public spirit was felt in his efforts
to elevate their moral and intellectual condition, and in devising
and executing schemes of public improvement, for their tempo-
ral and eternal prosperity. He descends to the grave, it is con-
fidently believed, not only without an enemy, but enjoying the
esteem of all his acquaintances, and the unqualified love of all
who had the happiness of becoming his friends.

In his decease, the wife has been bereaved of a tender and
affectionate husband — the relatives a generous and benevolent
brother and friend — the widow and fatherless of a benefactor —
the poor of one whose charities were profuse — and the cause of
Christ an able defender and generous supporter."

As he devoted liis mind and his means with such assidui-
ty, he effected for the village of Chittenango a greater pros-
perty than any other person ; hence he was regarded as the
founder of the village. In fact the history of Chittenango
is everywhere marked by his munificent deeds.

His desire for the advancement of education induced
him to found, at his own expense, the Polytechnic College
in Chittenango, which was ably conducted for nearly ten
years.

His financial operations, in connection with his partners,

SULLIVAN. ggg

raised Union College from a state of comparative insolven-
cy to that of opulence and distinction. To carry out his
views in regard to the proper conduct of institutions for a
thorough practical and literary education, as well as an ele-
vated moral training, he made careful arrangements in his will
for the bestowal of a large amount of his property to this end.

Had his views been carried out by our State Legislature,
as has since been done for Cornell University, an institu-
tion like that would have been established, and in success-
ful operation thirty years ago. Chittenango might have
had the advantage of its location, and one generation more
at least have been blest with its fruits ; whereas, that sum
designed by him for this noble use, has realized little of its
intended worthy purposes, although his trustees used their
utmost endeavors to bring the Legislature to concur with
his plans.

In Walnut Grove Cemetery, south of Chittenango village,
can be seen the monument erected to his memory. Carved
upon the stone is the noble face of one whose numerous
good deeds are inscribed in the enduring marble.

In the Reformed Church there is also placed a neat me-
morial tablet, which has the following inscription : —

Sacred
To The

Memory of the
Hon. John B. Yates,
Who Died
July loth, 1836.
He was eminently possessed of the characteristics of a great
and good man, ever distinguished for his philanthropy and be-
nevolence.

As a friend he was generous and changeless. By this society
his name is deservedly cherished with grateful and affectionate
remembrance.

In the erection of this house of worship, he was deeply inter-
ested, and toward the completion of the object was the most lib-
eral benefactor.

The memory of the just is blessed : Prov. 10 : 7. The liber-
al deviseth liberal things and by liberal things he shall stand :
Isa 32 : 81.
R2

6gO MADISON COUNTY.

Hon, Wm. K. Fuller. — He was born in Schenectady,
N. Y., on the 24th day of November, 1792. His father,
Jeremiah Fuller, on his father's side was a lineal descend-
ant of Samuel Fuller, one of the Puritans who landed from
the ship Mayflower, at Plymouth Rock in 1620 ; and on the
side of his mother, of one of the Holland families that
founded Schenectady. The mother of Wm. K, Fuller,
Mary Kendall, was born in Yorkshire, England, and came
to this country with her father and brother about the year
1787. Mr. Fuller was educated in the schools of his native
place ; he graduated at Union College, studied law in the
office of Henry and John B. Yates and was admitted to
practice in the Supreme Court in the year 1814. Shortly
after his admission, he entered into partnership with John
B. Yates. In the summer of 18 14 they moved to Utica,
Oneida Co., opened an office and practiced law there until
the spring of 18 16, when they removed to Chittenango,
then a village of about 100 inhabitants. During his resi-
dence in Utica he was appointed Master in Chancery, At-
torney for the Oneida, Stockbridge and Brothertown In-
dians, and Quarter-master of a regiment of Militia. While
a resident of Chittenango, he was appointed to and executed
the duties of the following offices and trusts, namely : —
Justice of the Peace twice, Town Clerk, Postmaster, Aid-
de-Camp to the General of Brigade with the rank of Cap-
tain, Brigade Judge Advocate with the rank of Major, Di-
vision Inspector with the rank of Colonel, Attorney for
Madison County, Adjutant General of the State of New
York, Commissioner under the acts to drain the great Can-
aseraga marsh, Supervisor twice. Commissioner of High-
ways, Judge of the Madison County Court of Common
Pleas, School Trustee, Member of Assembly twice in sue •
cession, (1829 and '30,) and twice in succession a Member
in Congress from the Twenty-Third District, composed of
the Counties of Madison and Onondaga. He gave up the
practice of law in 1823. Early in that year he was ap-

SULLIVAN, ^Q

pointed Adjutant General by Gov. Yates, serving throucrh
his administration and six months under Gov. Clinton his
successor in office being unable to assume its duties. Gov
Clinton issued ."a General Order" complimentary of his ser-
vices as Adjutant General and caused it to be published in
the State paper. His last term in Congress ended March 3d,
1837. Since that date he has paid very little attention to
matters of public concern. Up to 1852 his time was o-iven
to his own affairs and to the settlement of the large estate
of his deceased friend and former partner, Hon. J. B. Yates
of whose will he was one of the executors. Soon after the
settlement of that estate, he became interested in property
in Canada, and thenceforth his time has been divided be-
tween that country and his native State.

Judging from the present state of politics, one might
imagine from the foregoing, not knowing his character, that
he had not only been an office-holder, but an office-seeker.
Such a conjecture, however, would be far from the truth ;
not one of the whole number was conferred through the
least effort, solicitation or expenditure of money on his part..

Judge Fuller was one of the directors of, and a stock-
holder in the Madison County turnpike road,* which passed
through Peterboro and connected the Seneca road at Chit-
tenango, with the Cherry Valley road at Madison. He was
also one of the directors, and the secretary and treasurer of
the " side cut," from Chittenango to the Erie canal,
which was completed under his superintendence, simulta-
neously with the middle section of the Erie, at a much less
cost than the capital subscribed.

Judge Fuller has for many years been a resident of
Schenectady, his native place. Although he has reached
the advanced age ot eighty years, and is somewhat infirm
physically, yet his heart is still young, his spirits buoyant,
his well cultivated mind remarkably clear and strong.

* Since this road was abandoned as a toll road, for want of adequate receipts to
meet the expense of keeping it in repair, and surrendered to the towns trirough
which it passed, Hon. Gerrit Smith has very greatly improved it at his own expense
in the vicinity of Peterboro.

692 MADISON COUNTY.

We append here a brief notice of the three brothers of
Judge WilHam K. Fuller, — Samuel, George K., and Edward,
— =ail of whom were natives of Schenectady, graduates of
Union College, and eminent men : — Samuel completed his
medical studies in the city of New York, and established
himself as a physician and surgeon in Chittenango about
the year 18 18. Edward, who also completed his medical
studies in New York, became a partner of Samuel in 1824.
In the course of their joint practice, each acquired an
excellent reputation for skill and integrity. Edward ceased
to practice his profession about the year 1834. Samuel
continued to practice until 1866, when with his family he
moved to New York city, where he died the year following,
in the 73d year of his age. George K. came to reside in
Chittenango about the year 1820. He had not resided
there long before Mr. John B. Yates constituted him his
general agent, and superintendent of his farming, mercan-
tile and manufacturing concerns at Chittenango. He acted
in that capacity until the decease of Mr. Yates in 1836.
As an acknowledgment of his faithful services, Mr. Yates
left him by his will a legacy of ^5,000, and appointed him
one of its executors. He was engaged in the trust thus
confided to him till the final settlement of the estate, which
from unavoidable circumstances did not occur till 1852.
Possessed of sound judgment, clear perceptions, great mor-
al courage and generous temper, he was well adapted to
the positions allotted to him in life. He was a liberal pat-
ron and trustee of the Polytechnic school at Chittenango,
and though much averse to holding public office, he was
once or twice induced to serve as supervisor of the town.
He died at Chittenango in the year 1858, in the 59th year
of his age.

CHURCHES.

The Presbyterian Church of Chittenango Village was
organized as early as 18 16, with about 20 members. On
the formation of the Reformed Dutch Church, the Presby-

SULLIVAN. 5g,

terians joined with it. About 1830 the society was again
revived prospering greatly under the ministrations of Rev.
Mr. Smith. About 1833, they resolved to build a church,
although the pecuniary responsibility rested on a few.
Dr. Samuel Kennedy, Mr. Hall and Mr. Thomas Living-
ston, were the building committee. Heavy debts rested on
those who became responsible, and when the society
declined, about 1840, the building was sold to the Baptist
society. The Presbyterians again joined themselves to the
Reformed Dutch Church.

The Reformed Dutch Church of Chittenango, was organ-
ized in 1827. There had been previously religious meet-
ings held in the Bethel, and in the Polytechny, but the
needs of the village required better accommodations for
religious services. John B. Yates, who was a member of
the Reformed Dutch church, obtained assistance among the
churches of that denomination, which with subscriptions
among the citizens, enabled them to erect in 1828, a fine
substantial building at a cost of between eleven and twelve
thousand dollars. The first pastor was Rev. Andrew Yates.
The following pastors have served since : — Rev. Wm. H.
Campbell, Stephen Alexander, James Van Vost, James
Abell, the latter pastor seventeen years. Also Rev. Mr.
Talmadge and Rev. J. H. Enders.

The M. E. Church of Chittenango.— This society was
organized September 9th, 1833. Its originators were J. I.
Walrath, Daniel Walrath, J. B. Knowles, William Metcalf
and A. Comstock. Its first pastor was Benjamin G. Pad-
dock. The old Church was built in 1836, and was burned
in 1862. In 1862 and '63 it was rebuilt.

Baptist Chinch of Chittenango.— T\A^ society was organ-
ized previous to 1840, and purchased their meeting house
of the Presbyterians. The first pastor was Elder Houston.
In the course of time the society decHned and sold their
house to the Roman Catholics in 1862 or '63. Since the
latter date, however, the society has revived and has become

694 MADISON COUNTY.

a Strong and influential body. A fine new church edifice
has been erected.

The Canaseraga Church. — This edifice was built about
1828, by the UniversaHsts and Methodists, It was then
called the "Free Church." The property was deeded in the
beginning to the Universalists, but the Methodists con-
tinue to occupy it and keep it in repair. There was a time
when the Episcopalians chiefly occupied it.

CJiurches at Bridgeport. — The Baptist Church was origi-
nally built by the Baptists and Methodists, and was used
alternately by each. Difficulties, however, grew out of the
joint ownership, and in 1869, the M. E. Society built a new
house. Its erection was due to the perseverance of the
Rev. Mr. Lyon, pastor in charge. Mr. Russel Adams, of
New York, formerly a resident of Bridgeport, donated
largely for the building of this Church.

Episcopal Church of Chittenango. — In the year 1850,
arrangements were made with Rev. A. P. Smith, Cazenovia,
to hold regular religious services here, who continued
his services from year to year. The parish was organized
about 1856, at which time Mr. Sandford Cobb and Mr.
Joseph Sanger were constituted first wardens. The church
edifice was built in 1866, at a cost of about $5,000, and was
the same year consecrated by Bishop Cox. Through the
instrumentality of Mrs. Kellogg, wife of Hon, Charles
Kellogg, and the young ladies of the village, the funds were
raised with which the church was built. Rev. Mr. Smith
has been the officiating clergyman from the beginning to
the present time, with the exception of one year when the
Rev. Geo. Southwell was pastor.

SMITHFIELD.

695

CHAPTER XV.

SMITHFIELD.

Boundaries. — Geography. — New Petersburgh Tract. — Adven-
tures with Indians. — Original town of Smithfield. — Pioneer
Families and Early Settlers. — First Enterprises. — Peterboro in
1806. — Execution of Mary Antone. — Panther incident. —
Notices of Citizens. — The Evans Fund. — Peterboro Academy.
— Orphan Asylum. — Biographical Sketches ; Judge Peter
Smith ; Hon. Gerrit Smith. — Siloam. — Churches.

Smithfield is an interior town lying north of the center of
the County. It is bounded north by Lenox, east by Stock-
bridge, south by Eaton and Nelson, and west by Fenner. It
was formed from Cazenovia March 13th, 1807. Fenner was
taken off in 1823, and a part of Stockbridge in 1836. It is
now the smallest town in Madison County, having but 15,-
246 square acres of land. It is the only town in the
county not traversed by a railroad, but in the matter of wagon
roads it excels. The second turnpike of this County, the
"Oneida Turnpike," passed through Peterboro from Oneida to
Cazenovia ; it was a famous road in its day and is now a well
kept highway. The "Peterboro Stone Road," which passes
through this town on its way from Morrisville to Canas-
tota, is no doubt the best road of its class in the County.

The surface of this town as a whole is a hilly, rolling up-
land. One of the largest branches of the Oneida creek
rises in the large swamp lying west and northwest of Peter-
boro. From here the stream courses southerly past the cen-
ter of the town, then turns to the southeast and finds its

696 MADISON COUNTY.

way to the valley of the main creek through a deep gulf in
the southeast corner of the town. On the ridge bordering
this creek to the northward rise a few springs, the united
waters of which form the origin of the Cowassalon, which
passes northerly through Siloam and thence on out of the
town. The general character of the soil is a sandy and
gravelly loam, well adapted to the culture of grain. Lime-
stone and gypsum are found in the northeast part. The
most extensive marl bed in the county is f >und on the land
of Gerrit S. Miller, in the swamp before mentioned, where
at least four hundred acres are underlaid with a shell deposit
of unascertained depth.* This swamp was apparently once
the bed of a lake. Mineral waters are found in various
parts of the town ; near Siloam is a spring possessing min-
eral properties of great strength.

Smithfield was the tract of land obtained of the Oneida
Indians in 1795. While living in Utica in 1794, Mr. Smith
obtained of this tribe the lease of the " New Petersburgh
Tract," (thus named from Peter Smith,) comprising an area
of 50,000 acres, embracing a large part of Augusta, Onei-
da County, a portion of Stockbridge, and nearly all of
Smithfield, Fenner and northern Cazenovia. This he di-
vided into four allotments. At this time a law had been
enacted in Congress which forbade the Oneidas selling
their lands to the white settlers. There was, however,
nothing in the act to prevent their leasing their lands for
any length of time ; therefore Mr. Smith obtained posses-

* Believing marl to be of inestimable value as a fertilizer, Col. Miller submitted
a portion of this marl to the examination of Prof. Norton, agricultural chemist of
Yale College, who gave his decision in the following words : — "This earth is a marl,
and I have no hesitation in pronouncing it one of excellent quality; the carbonate
of lime, you will observe amounts to about eight-tenths of the whole; the very small
quantitv of carbonate of magnesia and the trace of phosphoric acid, adds materially
to its enriching qualities, although it is present in small quantities.

Marls are seldom richer in lime than this is, and if it abounds on your farm, you
have a most valuable source of fertility, unless you are a limestone formation and
well supplied."

In accelerating the chemical changes of redeemed swamps, the Professor reconi-
mended the application of lime — more particularly quick lime — and decidedly in this
form of marl ; — he says : " It not only supplies a want in the soil, but ameliorates
the chemical condition."

SMITHFIELD.

697

sion of this tract by a lease extending for a term of 999
years. The Oneidas were then divided into two parties,
known respectively as the " Christian" and " Pagan" par-
ties. The Pagan party was strongly opposed to the leas-
ing to Mr. Smith, while the Christian party, with the chief
of the Oneidas, the celebrated Skenandoah at their head,
upheld him in the rights they had given him. Skenandoah
was Mr. Smith's warm personal friend. Immediately upon
the arrival of the surveyors upon the tract, there arose a
great commotion among the Indians. The Christian party
were stationed at the foot of Stockbridge hill, near the
site of the old house known as " five chimneys," and by
their presence were felt to be a protection by the surveyors.
However, the wily Pagans, to avoid any arbitration with
their peaceably disposed brethren, eluded their vigilance,
and secretly taking a circuitous route, came down in war-
like attitude upon the defenceless party, surveying at the
time, in and about the present village of Peterboro, then a
dense wilderness. Here the attack was made by the Indi-
ans, near the point where Elias Sager now lives, in the
north part of the village. A hatchet was thrown by an In-
dian, which struck and severely injured the hand of Joseph
Annin, one of the surveyors. The compass and chain were
then broken and the surveying party driven from the tract.
Being out-numbered, unarmed, and far from the habi-
tations of white men, they were glad to seek safety in
flight. Col. Thomas Cassity,* then of Canajoharie, but a

*This old pioneer of Augusta, and most able and useful man of the day, (i79S)
in company with Peter Smith, built the first grist mill at Oriskany Falls. He was
also the first justice of the peace, and the first supervisor of the town of Augusta.
On being elected to the latter office, there was no other justice m town, and he
swore himself into office before himidf. As this qualifying was not strictly legal,
its legality was never questioned. ......

Col. Thomas Cassity, was in his youth at Detroit, then a British military post,
taken a few years previously from the French. His father, Capt. James Cassity,
was a British officer stationed at that point. When news came to this then far ott
fort that hostilities had commenced between the colonies and the mother country,
and that the troops there were expected to fight for King George, Capt Cassity
and his son Thomas (the latter then 17,) rebelled; they were American born and
would not bear arms against their countrymen. Matters soon culminated j the

698 MADISON COUNTY.

little later of " Cassity Hollow," (named after him,) now
Oriskany Falls, whose thorough knowledge of Indian char-
acter, and intimate associations with the Oneidas gave him
great influence among them, assisted Mr. Smith in adjust-
ing his difficulties with the Pagan party, and his proceed-
ings were no further interfered with by them. His opera-
tions however, were watched by Congress, and this body
deputed Timothy Pickering to come to Oneida to arrest
Mr. Smith's influence over the Indians. Mr. Pickering on
arriving addressed them at a great meeting held at " Butter-
nut Orchard," near Oneida Castle, his speech being given
through an interpreter. Mr. Smith, having acquired the
Indian language, and being able by long custom to speak
it fluently, replied to Mr. Pickering in a speech in the In-
dian dialect, reminding them of their long and intimate
acquaintance and extensive business relations, calling upon
any or all present to say if, in all their dealings or inter-
course he had practiced deception or fraud, or had ever
attempted to wrong them in any manner whatever. The
speech was remarkable for its force and clearness, and
appealing as it did to their understandings and sense of
justice, he sustained himself triumphantly, and re-establish-
ed his influence over both parties of the Indians.

Captain's superior officer was informed of the fact, and an altercation ensued, in
which the officer either threatened, or actually attempted violence upon the Cap-
tain. Young Thomas stood by with a loaded musket ; quick as thought he brought
it in range of the officer and shot him down, then turned and fled with the swift-
ness of a wild animal, deep into the Michigan woods, and was effectually lost to all
pursuers. His face was not again seen in civilized life till many years after, when
he appeared suddenly among his friends, in the lower Mohawk country. He had
been adopted by, and all that time resided with the western Indians. He was him-
self ever reticent as to the experiences of those years of self-banishment, only say-
ing that he had lived with the natives ; but tradition has it that he had a native
wife during those years and furthermore, that he was the father of the renowned
Chief Tecumseh.

Col. Cassity, after reaching the great age of nearly 80 years, met his death
about 1835, by accident; he took from a shelf a bottle which he supposed con-
tained spirits, and drank from it hastily a large swallow; it proved to be sulphuric
acid ! He died in great agony a few hours after.

Capt, James Cassity after being so effectually defended by his son, was taken a
prisoner to Lower Canada and kept there several years. Subsequently he resided
with or near his son at Oriskany Falls. The remains of father and son rest in the
" Dug- Way Cemetery," in South Augusta, the locality of their graves being
unmarked and now p»st identification.

SMITHFIELD. ggo

In 1795, in a treaty with the Oneidas, the State pur-
chased a large share of their Reservation, which purchase
embraced Mr. Smith's tract. He had leased much of the
eastern part of his tract, before this purchase, to white set-
tlers, for a term of 21 years ; but the State thus coming into
ownership, the Legislature, in 1797, passed an act providing
that those who had obtained leases of Mr. Smith, should
have a patent from the State, upon their paying $s,S^i per
acre. The large proportion not leased before the treaty,
Mr. Smith was required to pay the State for at the same
rate, in order to obtain his own patent. The State, how-
ever, compromised with him by allowing a certain sum for
his original lease of the Indians, which reduced the price
actually paid by him for the land to about $2 per acre.
Thus he acquired title to all that portion not leased by him
to the white settlers, amounting to 22,299^ acres.

In accordance, therefore, with the said act of the Legis-
lature, these settlers accepted the terms and became pur-
chasers of the State. Their lands lay in Augusta and
Stockbridge, being of the " New Petersburgh ist allotment,"
and with the exception of a strip about a mile wide extend-
ing across the southern part of Stockbridge and into Augusta,
to the amount of six lots in the latter town, was no more
included in the New Petersburgh tract. This "strip,"
of the 1st Allotment is that portion of those towns retained
by Mr. Smith, and forms what is denominated the " L." *
The sales to those settlers under Mr. Smith's twenty-one
year leases, therefore, reduced the ist Allotment to the
dimensions of the L, and the New Petersburgh tract was,
thereafter, composed ol that and the 2d, 3d and 4th Allot-
ments.

The original town of Smithfield included within its lim-
its a few tiers of lots at the west end of the first Allotment,
the whole of the second and third Allotments excepting the

*The ist Allotment was composed of 74 lots ; 55 in Augusta, 14 In Stock-
bridge, and 5 in Smithfield.

700

MADISON COUNTY.

west tier of the third — which west tier and the whole of the
fourth Allotment were in Cazenovia — together with that
part of the "Mile Strip Tract" lying east of lots 28 and 29.
The present town embraces the two western tiers of the
first Allotment, the whole of the second excepting the t\.o
western tiers and that part of the Mile Strip lying north.

Settlement commenced early in New Petersburgh. Jas-
per Aylesworth, the first settler of Smithfield, camein 1795,
and opened a clearing in Peterboro. He had no family, and
therefore was sole inhabitant for a short time. Oliver Trum-
bull came in with his father's family (who settled in Fenner
a short time after) and took up a farm about half a mile
south of Peterboro. Seth Griffin came the same year.

We remark here that in 1 795, Utica (Old Ft. Schuyler) was
the nearest market, and thither through the woods, guided
by marked trees to the old Genesee road, the sparse popu-
lation of all this section of Madison County wended their
way to market. At that time John Post, a clever Dutch-
man, was merchant and postmaster at Utica for all this region,
and Jason Parker carried the mail between Albany and
Utica. The arrival of half a dozen letters for people of this
far off section was a remarkable incident which sometimes
happened — as we find indicated by the following advertise-
ment of "Letters remaining in the post office at Fort Schuy-
ler," published in the "Western Sentinel," Sept. 23d, 1795,
the oldest issue of that paper known to be extant : — "Jede-
diah Jackson or Asahel Jackson, Clinton ; Stephen Burton, 2,
Whitestown ; Oliver Trumbull, Fort Schuyler." These
men were then or soon after residents of this and adjoining
towns.

From the Madison County Directory of 1868 and '69,
the following, from the pen of Hon. A. A. Raymond, is ex-
tracted : —

"The Trumbulls and Griffins had families, and all of them lo-
cated on lot 33, Second Allotment, being the first lot south of
No. 26, on which is Peterboro. Aylesworth was unmarried, and
came as the hired man of Judge Smith, and in that capacity

SMITHFIELD. ^qj

felled the forest trees on the village plat, then an untouched
wilderness which had never before been made to echo to the
sound of the axman's blows and the hourly crashing of falling
trees. How long he continued in Judge Smith's employ is not
known ; but at an early day in the history of the town he mar-
ried a daughter of John Taft, Esq., another early settler who
lived in town. Mr. Aylesworth endured the privations incident
to the early settlers. On one occasion he brought a five-pail
kettle 071 his back from Utica, to make maple sugar ! Some of his
first supplies and provisions he brought from Utica in the same
manner. He became a permanent resident of the town and
was an enterprising and successful farmer. One only, of the
large family he reared remains in town.

Ithamar Bump settled on lot 41 in 1797, where he continued
to reside until removed by death, Aug. 14th, 1815. Soon after
his first settlement in town, he was joined by his father, Ichabod
Bump, and in the course of a few years, \foses, Nathan, David,
Jonathan, Gideon and Jacob, brothers of Ithamar, and a sister
named Hannah, the wife of Ebenezer Bronson, all became res-
idents of the town. In their physical characteristics this was a
peerless family. The brothers were all large, well developed
men, averaging six feet in hight, with great muscular power, and
as wrestlers and for personal prowess (qualities highly prized in
those days,) were a terror to the athletes of the county. Some
of them were enterprising and successful farmers, among whom
Ithamar, especially, was an industrious, upright and esteemed
citizen. His descendants to the third generation still live in
town, and include some prominent business men. The old pa-
triarch, Ichabod. died Dec. 22d, 1823, in.his 90th year.

Capt. Joseph Black came in about the year 1798. Where he
first located is not certainly known, but in the fall of 1802, he
was on lot 59, N. P. second Allotment, and in 1803 or '04 he be-
came a prominent contractor for the construction of a large sec-
tion of the old "Oneida Turnpike," which was made under his
immediate supervision. He was proverbially upright and relia-
ble, insomuch that to this day the question is sometimes asked
by those who knew him and still remember him, whether this
generation furnishes any specimens of such unswerving integri-
ty. His memory is precious, and ' though dead he yet speaketh.'

Between the years 1798 and 1805, many valuable men came
in and settled as farmers in difterent parts of the town, but
chieflv on the two southern tiers of lots on the Mile Strip tract. On
this Mile Strip tract and contiguous thereto were Jacob and Sam-
uel Walker, Allen Bill, David Shipman, Solomon Merril, sen.,
and sons, Robert Streeter, Gideon Wright, Jabez Lyon, Shad-
rach Hardv, David Tuttle, Ezra Chaffee, Mrs. Moody and her
sons David and Samuel, Mrs. Matteson and her sons John,

702 MADISON COUNTY.

Abraham, Eli and Nathan, Barzilla and Amos Northrup, Sylva-
nus Matthewson and sons Winchester and Stephen, Stephen
Risley, Moses Howe, Salmon Howard, and Francis Dodge. On
the two southern tiers of lots were Edward Bliss, Wright Brig-
ham, John Lucas, Rodman Spencer and sons, David Blodget,
Alpheus Thompson, John Ford, Reuben Rich, Andress Love-
land and others". Most of these, with many more not named in
the list, settled permanently, became prosperous farmers, and
valuable men and citizens, and were equally worthy of more than
this passing notice, as were those before referred to at greater
length."

A few additional particulars of early settlers we give in
this connection : — John Taft emigrated from Connecticut,
and located on Lot 33. Shortly before his decease he sold
this farm to John Pray. During his last illness he expressed
a desire to be buried in an orchard he had planted on the
farm. His wish was complied with, and for many years the
traveler who passed along the adjacent highway could dis-
tinguish the marble slab in the northeast corner of Mr.
Phipps orchard, (a subsequent owner,) which marked the
grave of John Taft, one of the original settlers.

Elder John Pray was an eccentric " Six Principle " Bap-
tist minister, well remembered by the oldest inhabitants for
his odd speeches and peculiar ways. He was from Rhode
Island, and lived with his sons John and Jonas Pray, on the
old "Pray farm," to a good old age. He died in 1830, leav-
ing numerous descendants.

Stephen Risley came from East Hartford, Conn., in 1801.
He was a soldier of the revolution during the most of the
war ; was in the battles of Long Island, Brandywine and
Monmouth, and was a sergeant in Washington's Guard.
He was present and on duty at the execution of Andre.

Daniel Petrie,* another early settler, and connected with

the Bellingers, served a clerkship under Van Epps. He

learned the Indian language, which gave him influence

among the natives. In 1808 he was a Captain of Militia.

David Shipman, before mentioned among the settlers of

*In 1808, the Smithfield Artillery Company was formed. Daniel Petrie was
instrumental in raising it and was chosen its rirst Captain.

SMITHFIELD. 703

the Mile Strip, was a native of Clinton, Livingston Co., N.
Y., and came to this town in 1800.

Many of the farms taken up and brought under cultiva-
tion by these sturdy men, still remain in possession of their
descendants.

James Livingston, a brother of Mrs. Peter Smith, was
the first merchant in Peterboro — in the year 1801. The
building in which he carried on his business was a fine one
for those days. It is still standing at the east end of the
public green, near its former location, having only been set
back a few yards. It was the first frame house of the vil-
lage— built in 1800. It is now owned by Eliphalet Ales-
worth, son of Jasper Aylesworth, and occupied by him as a
dwelling. Livingston was followed in the mercantile busi-
ness by a Mr, Eggleston, Later, Captain Daniel Petrie
established a store, which he kept many years. This was
situated on the corner now owned by Mr. Miller. A por-
tion of this original building is embodied in the house
where Mr. Bridge now (1869) resides. Capt. Petrie was
the first postmaster of Peterboro.

The first school was taught by Miss Tabitha Havens, in
Peterboro, in i8or. Her school consisted of some half a
dozen children— all there were in the sparse population,
Smithfield thus early evinced her proclivities in favor of
education, which proves to have been sustained in her later
history. We remark here that the same year Miss Havens
taught this school she was married to James Tucker, of that
part of Smithfield now Fenner.

"The earliest marriages referred to by old settlers were those
of Tohn Matteson to Hudassah BHss, and Elijah Trumbull to
Abigail Carey, both of which are believed to have occurred m

'^Emmons Downer, Esq., still a resident, was born in Peterboro
in Sentember i8os. No reliable account of an earlier birth has
been gfven, Ind he is jherefore believed to be the oldest naUve

"tliTah Pratt was the^ first physician of Peterboro,-in 180^ or
'oa ; he was also the first male school teacher. J^^^ Jo.hua
Johnson, Presbyterian, was the first resident preacher-in 1806 ,

704 MADISON COUNTY.

Nehemiah Huntington was the first lawyer — in 1807 ; Captain
Daniel Petrie was the first postmaster — in 1807 j John Downer
and Peter Weber were the first blacksmiths — in 1802 ; and
Reuben Long built the first grist mill and saw mill in 1802."
— [From A. A. Raymond's sketches.]

Dr. Phineas Lucas was the next physician after Dr. Pratt;
he was located on the old road, about midway between
Peterboro and Morrisville, where he died April 27th, 1806,
at the age of 32 years. Dr. Dourance, from Windham Co.,
Conn., was in Smithfield at the time and attended the
funeral ; he decided to remain and commence practice where
his brother physician had left it. Accordingly he did open
an office immediately and succeeded well in business. Pie
will be remembered with respect for his good qualities by
many of the oldest citizens. Dr. Rivera Nash commenced
practice in this town in 1807.

Dr. Joel Norton succeeded Dr. Nash in 18 14. He was
not only a successful physician, but was highly respected
as a citizen through the lustre of his inherent private vir-
tues. For twenty-seven years he was a favorite physician in
Smithfield, a devoted christian, and a valued and steadfast
friend of the Presbyterian church.*

Mrs. Olive Raymond, widow of James Raymond, of
Windham County, Conn., with two children, and accom-
panied by her three sisters, the Misses Downing, came to
Smithfield quite early in this century. Mrs. Raymond
sickened and died three days after her arrival. A. A.
Raymond, Esq., of Peterboro, and his sister (now dead,)
were the children thus orphaned. The sisters of Mrs. Ray-
mond continued the home until their death by the " epidem-
ic," elsewhere noted, in 1813.

John Forte,! ^^ early settler of Lenox, became one of

* Dr. Norton died at the age of 54 |years, June 30, 1841, at Newport R. I.,
whither he went a very little time previous for the benefit of his health. As he
neared the boundry line between time and eternity, like the true christian and phy-
sician he gave testimony of his feelings, and the state of his mind. Had we space
we would gladly record this remarkable testimony of the dying christian as he
passed step by step over the mysterious river. It was published at the time and has
been preserved by his friends.

■[- Changed to " Fort" by some one of the family.

SMITHFIELD. y^^

the long ago citizens of Smithfield. The late Allen H.
Forte,* of Cazenovia, Avery Forte, of Peterboro, and Mrs
Myron H. Bronson, (mother of the Bronsons famous in
muskal circles,) are of John Forte's family.

The Bronson family so well known in Smithfield, are of
the family of Deacon Simeon Bronson, (formerly " Brown-
son,") who settled on the Mile Strip in Fenner, 1802. Dea-
con Bronson's wife, Lucinda Gleason Bronson, died, leav-
ing him with a family of eight children. He subsequently
married Lucretia Stewart, by whom he had nine children.
The youngest of the first family is the father of the above
named Bronson singers, viz : — Lorenzo, Aurelia, Willie and
Mellie Bronson.

Moses Rice came early and settled, probably in the Fen-
ner part of Smithfield. He afterwards removed to Quality
Hill, served in the waFi.of 1812, came home on a furlough
and died of camp fever. > His eldest son, Billings Rice, is
the only one who remained in this part of the county. The
celebrated Rice vocalists, viz. : — Warren, Moses, Henry,
Simeon, Sarah, Florence and Maria, all distinguished as
public singers of rare talents, are children of Billings Rice,
of Smithfield. Mrs. Avery Forte, one of his daughters,
resides in Peterboro.

In the winter and spring of 1813, sickness of a type
previously unknown, prevailed throughout Central New
York, and it is believed in all pirts of the State. Having
no other name for it, physicians called it " the Epidemic,"
by which name it came to be generally known, and when-
ever referred to or spoken of from that day to this, it has
been called by no other. Its victims were prostrated at
once and sank rapidly to utter helplessness and delirium,
from which no stimulant or manner of treatment could
arouse them. In numerous cases, persons attacked with it,
though in the prime of life and previous vigorous health,

* Father of Irwin A. and Irving C. Forte, former publishers of the Cazenovia

Republican, the latter the present editor of that paper.

S2

706 MADISON COUNTY.

sank away and died in from four to ten days ! In the town
of Smithfield there were probably more than one hundred
cases, a very large per centage of which proved fatal. Its
first victim was an interesting youth of some sixteen years,
who died on the 12th day of January. Thenceforward till
late in March, funerals occurred throughout the town
almost daily, sometimes several on the same day in different
sections. In one instance, on March 14th, four adults were
buried in the old Peterboro cemetery, all within a few hours.
These four were all advanced in life. Three of them were
maiden sisters by the name of Downing, who had always
/ived together, and in their death were almost literally undi-
vided, all dying within thirty hours. The fourth was an
aged man, an early settler in the town, living but a few rods
from the residence of the Downing sisters. It is believed
that there were olh t burials in town on this same day.
Early in April the sickiic ss abated ; new cases became of
less frequent occurrence and cl a milder type ; and, as the
season advanced, the mysterious visitation wholly disap-
peared.

In 1806, there were ten buildings in Peterboro, — Judge
Smith's house, since re-built and enlarged by Gerrit Smith ;
the Aylesworth house, then the Livingston store ; the grist
mill and saw mill ; the rest dwellings.

After the organization of the town in 1807, the first
town meeting, in April of the same year, was held at the
school house near Fenner Corners. The spirited efforts of
the eastern Smithfield voters to secure the election of their
officers, and of the adjournment of the meeting to Peter-
boro, is noted in the Fenner Chapter. Peter Smith was
elected Supervisor, and Daniel Petrie, Town Clerk. In
June of this year, Peter Smith, who had been one of the
Associate Judges of the County Court, was appointed first
Judge, and the office of Supervisor became vacant. Con-
sequently, a special town meeting was held July i8th, at

SMITHFIELD. ^^^

which Roswell Glass was chosen to fill the vacancy. At
the second annual town meeting, Asa Dana was chosen
Supervisor.

At this period the county began agitating the question of
the county seat. Cazenovia and Smithfield put forward
their claims for the permanent location. A forcible ar^^u-
ment in favor of Smithfield by her citizens was the fact
that the town was more central than Cazenovia, Hamilton
and some other points. The question however was not
decided for a number of years, and Madison County had
no jail or court house when the second criminal offence
came before the courts. Even when it seemed settled, by
the erection of the court house in Cazenovia, like Banquo's
ghost the mooted question would rise again in the form of
"centering," and would not "down" until it had finally been
located at Morrisville, in the year 1817.

The above mentioned second instance of capital crime
had its denouement in Smithfield, the murderess, Mary
Antone, (daughter of Abram,) being executed in Peterboro
in the autumn of 18 14. The Indians disputed the right
of the white-man authorities to interfere with their customs,
or to exercise jurisdiction over them in criminal or other
cases where the parties were of their race, and it was feared
that there would be trouble at the execution, as Abram
Antone and one of his sons, Mary's father and brother,
came over from Siloam painted and equipped in warrior
style a few days before the consummation of the fatal
decree ; and there was also a report afloat that Antone had
said that " the man who hung Mary should die." Thus
forewarned, Capt. Daniel Petrie signified to the members of
his company that they must hold themselves in readiness,
for they would be called on in case of any disturbance.
The Indians were quite numerous in the village on the
morning of the execution, and Capt. Petrie, having a good
knowledge of the Indian language, took the occasion, as
they lounged about his store, to make it plain to them that

)g MADISON COUNTY.

adison County officers in carrying out the laws were not
sponsible for the execution of Mary Antone ; that the
ws must be obeyed, and also that order must be main-
ined. In their hearing, he directed some of his ir.t-n
esent to have their arms in readiness to protect the
ficers. The gallows was erected on the flat due west from
e grist mill, and some twelve or fifteen rods from the
lannel of the creek. Abram was there, grim, restless,
ent ; sometimes moving about on the brow of the ridge
)Ove the flat, scanning the multitude with a keen eye,
here is a statement given the author that he was heard to
ake the ominous threat, as he pointed to Sheriff' I'ratt,
Me kill him ! Me kill him!" and that the Sherifl". before
;rforming the final act, called for Antone to come forward
id take a last leave of his child ; that the latter's sinewy
rm soon appeared upon the scafl^old. and without moving
muscle of his stoical features, took the hand of his daugh-
r and then turned silently ?way, neither betraying a sign
' emotion. The fatal moment came and passed, justice
as vindicated without even a whispered utterance or move

opposition from the natives. It is said, however, that
ntone afterwards sought Sheriff Pratt's life and that the
tter settled his affairs and moved west. Be this as it may,
lose who lived at that time know how surely Antone ex-
:uted his threats, and how long he cherished and finally
reaked his vengeance on John Jacobs, the principal wit-
iss against his daughter.

In the earlier days of Smithfield, the forests were dense
id the swamps dismal, from abundance of foliage. Game
)ounded, and it is said that wolves and bears were quite
enty till 1827, about which period there was a great wolf
.mt in this section. Panthers were occasionally seen till
le years 18 15 to '18. A panther incident worthy of record
id well authenticated, occurred about 18 18, on the old
ounty Road between Peterboro and Clockville. at the en-
ance of a piece of thick forest through which that road

SMITHFIELD. ^qq

passed for a distance of half a mile. For the information of
those who have the curiosity to locate the spot we will say
here, that the incident took place within the bounds of the
farm then owned by Aaron Crary, and afterward by his son.
This farm, it is believed, lay chiefly on the north side and
adjoining the present north line of Smithfield, which would
be in the town of Lenox. The adjoining farm on the Smith-
field side, and which may have included a strip of this half-
mile forest, was owned by Ebenezer Lathrop. Moses Howe
lived on the same road, not far south of Lathrop's, about
one mile from Peterboro.

One morning in haying time, Mr. Howe called his boy
Stcjihen, a lad of some eight or nine years of age, and told
him he must take a horse and go to Clockville to mill — the
mill at Peterboro being then out of repair — and told him
also that he must wait for his grist that time, as he wanted
the horse to draw in hay the next day, and the flour was
needed for use in the family. So the boy started oft on the
horse's back, with two and a half bushels of wheat under
him on the saddle. It being late when the grist was ground,
he started homeward as speedily as possible, and reached
the border of the woods just at dusk, being then over a
mile from home. Almost the first tree on entering this
half mile of thick, dark forest road, was a gigantic elm, with
one huge limb some twenty-five feet from the ground, shoot-
ing far out horizontally over the traveled path.

The horse suddenly pricked up his ears as he neared and
came under this limb, and hearing as he thought a slight
noise, the boy looked up, and there, poised upon the limb
with glaring eyeballs, bared teeth, feet rapidly lifting and
gathering for a spring, while every nerve and muscle seemed
ready to burst with their fearful tension, was an enormous
panther, apparently fully prepared to leap, and sure of his
defenceless prey. Indeed it would seem that only a direct
interposition of Providence could save that boy from the ter-
rible doom staring him in the face ! But the very sudden-

710 MADISON COUNTY.

ness of the appalling danger, and the quick instinct which
is often the offspring of a sudden and fearful peril, yet
which would have probably and at once, either paralyzed a
man with fear, or caused him to pause for the encounter,
gave the boy a ready, almost superhuman keenness of sense
and strength of nerve. He cried out to the horse in a quick,
sharp tone which the noble animal, now all alive with fear,
from his own instinct seemed to understand, and away he
sprang with his double burden of flour bags and juvenile
rider at a flying speed, which was heightened and intensified
by what instantly followed. The fierce and undoubtedly
hungry panther being thus suddenly and unexpectedly foiled
when so sure of his victim, gave vent to his rage in the fright-
ful yells peculiar to his species, which it is said are so fright-
ful and appalling that no human being, when heard under
such circumstances, is ever able to shake oft' the terrible
sense of fear they arouse. The mad animal sprang instant-
ly from his position, and then from limb to limb, and from
tree to tree, howling, yelling, crashing through the dense
tree tops after his escaping prey, and thus he followed 'till
the horse and young rider swept triumphantly out of the
forest into the clearing beyond, and left the wild brute to
what we may well believe a bitter disappointment. Yet on,
on, dashed the horse, the boy by this time almost overcome
with terror, fearing the awful danger was still pursuing him,
and permitted no slack of speed till he reached his father's
door, himself and horse dripping with perspiration.

'"You are late home," said the father, "and I guess you
have rode pretty fast, hav'nt you ?"

"Yes sir, I have," replied the boy caressing the horse,
"and I think you would if you had been in my place. It
will be a good while before I will go through those woods
again after dark !" and here the boy was obliged to yield un-
til he had recovered composure, when he briefly related what
had happened. The father was astonished. There stood
the boy quaking with the thought of what he had just passed

SMITHFIELD.

711

through, and, the horse close by him, with drooping head,
panting and dripping with sweat. His little son had run
his horse over a mile, with the flour and bran of two and a
half bushels of wheat under him. " 'Till this day," says this
then boy, Stephen R. Howe (now Justice Howe of Oneida
Co.) the awful fear I then experienced affects me sensibly
when I recall the circumstances, and I never afterwards
passed the spot without experiencing it." He further says
that he did not again pass over that road till he was eigh-
teen, when he was teaching school in Sullivan. On one oc-
casion, when going home he found himself on the same
road, at the same place, before he was aware of it, and just
at dark. Said he, "I never ran faster than I did through
those woods."

The large town of Smithfield was destined to become the
smallest in the county. The project to divide it was long
agitated; it was finally accomplished in 1823, and the new
town of Fenner formed of its western half Again, in
1836, a large portion was shorn from its eastern part to
help form Stockbridge. The first town meeting after the
division, in 1823, was held at the house of Harry Nichols.
In 1824, Nehemiah Huntington was elected Supervisor,
and Thomas Beekman, Town Clerk, both of whom were
eminent men in State and Nation.

Smithfield has in one sense suffered from her habits of
generosity ; for after giving most of her territory to other
towns, she gave her men of talent and enterprise to the
world ; to the cities of the east, the west, the north, the
south; and consequently trades, arts, manufactures and
professions in the course of time languished within her

limits.

At a former period, considerable business was transacted
in Peterboro. At one time there were two glass factories,
one distillery, one tannery, a grist mill, a saw mill, a card-
ing and fulling mill, five stores, three taverns, and various

712 MADISON COUNTY.

mechanic shops, all together giving a supply of work to
many people, and contributing to sustain a much larger
population there, then, than exists at present. Years since
the glass factories were metamorphosed into dwellings ; the
fires of the distilleries also were long ago extinguished ; the
grist mill was superseded by a better structure for the same
business, and the tannery and some of the stores are among
the things that are not, and the temperance reform, and the
changes in the traveling world have disposed of two of the
three hotels. Here was kept one of the first, if not the
very first, temperance hotel,* properly so called, of the
world ! Some of the first anti-slavery meetings in the
United States were held here, and here from pulpit and
forum has the tocsin of reform been repeatedly sounded
during the last third of a century. The poor were ever
kindly cared for in Peterboro, and the down-trodden,
hunted slave found here a refuge from his pursuers and
persecutors. Undoubtedly the first school in the United
States established especially for colored children, was kept
in Peterboro, which, however, was soon done away with, as
caste on account of color was ruled here to be out of place
in common schools, and poor black children were thence-
forth allowed equal rights with the white.

The first movements of the county in literature began
simultaneously here and at Cazenovia. In 1808, the
Madison Freeholder was started in Peterboro, Peter Smith,
proprietor, and Jonathan Bunce, editor. It was after a time
changed to the Freeholder, and continued till 181 3, when
it was changed to the Madison County Herald, and contin-
ued under that title several years. The early efforts in the
cause of temperance brought into existence the Jorimal

* We learn later that this temperance house was kept by David Ambler, Esq,
about 1830. He was one of the early settlers of the south part of Augusta, but
changed his rfsidence for a few years about that period to Peterboro. We learn
further that he kept a temperance house as early as 1825, at the small hamlet near
the north line of Madison, known in early times as Kurd's, Bartlett's, Ambler's,
and lastly Newell's Corners. Squire Ambler died in Madison, at the residence of
his son-in-law, Dea. Francis Rice, about i860, aged 86 years.

SMITHFIELD. ^j^

of Madison County Temperance Union, a monthly, edited
by Wm. B. Downer. The latter was changed to the
Maine Lazv yojirnal, and was discontinued after an
existence of something over a year. The Christian &
Citizen, was published at Peterboro, in 1854, by Pruyn &
Walker.

It is somewhat remarkable that Peterboro, an unimpor-
tant inland village, having no railroad or other great artery
of communication with the outer world, should have been
and should still be the scene of so many great public gath-
erings, such as temperance, anti-slavery, political, religious,
reform and free speech conventions, &c. Probably no vil-
lage of its size in all our great country has equalled it in this
respect. But we have an explanation at hand : It has ever
been favored with the citizenship of distinguished and
progressive men ; hence, though but a small village, the
prevailing atmosphere of the place has been steadily genial
and attractive to those striving for a higher plane.

Peterboro has furnished public men as follows : — Greene
C. Bronson, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court and
Court of Appeals ; Thomas Beekman and Gerrit Smith,
Members of Congress ; Henry A. Foster, State Senator
for several terms, United States Senator in 18 — , and Jus-
tice of the Supreme Court in 1863; J. S. T. Stranahan,
Representative in Congress from Brooklyn, N. Y., in 1855 ;
Daniel G. Dorrance and Asahel C. Stone, also State Sena-
tors. Peterboro is the native place, or was tor some years
the home of five of the Sheriffs of Madison County, viz :—
Elijah Pratt, John Matteson, Joseph S. Palmer, John M.
Messinger and Asahel C. Stone. Neherniah Huntington
and James Barnett, once Member of the Legislature, and
Henry M. Rice of the United States Senate, are also Peter-
boro men. We might extend this roll of honor were cer-
tain dates and data, which we have failed after much effort
to obtain, at our command. We however record a few
brief sketches :

714 MADISON COUNTY.

Nehemiah Huntington belonged to the early years of
Smithfield's history. He came to Peterboro in 1807, and
became the first lawyer of the place. He was a graduate
of Dartmouth College, being there a classmate o Daniel
Webster, and was aged thirty-one when he came to Smith-
field. He entered into every good enterprise which con-
cerned the prosperity of his adopted town. His generosity
and goodness of heart was conspicuous. His liberal edu-
cation and good abilities fitted him for a wide field of use-
fulness, but he was too modest to aspire to distinction in his
profession. He, however, encouraged and assisted young
men to make their way in the world, and several young
lawyers received their first help from him ; his kind instruc-
tions and fatherly guidance, aiding them in their first steps
toward after success. His life was long and eminently
useful, and at his death in 1855, aged 79 years, he was
greatly missed.

James Barnett succeeded to a position of usefulness,
from the time of his commencing in the mercantile busi-
ness in Peterboro, in 1838. He became successful in
that business, which he followed there for many years. He
stood high in the confidence of his fellow citizens, and was
often called to official positions in his town and county, and
in 1859 was elected from this county to the Legislature,
In 1865 he was elected to the State Senate from this, the
twenty-third. Senatorial District. During the late war he
gave largely of his time and means, actively and effectively
encouraging enlistments ; two of his sons volunteered, and
one, the eldest, bravely met his death at Antietam. Mr.
Barnett removed to Oneida some few years since where he
still resides.

Asahel C. Stone came to Peterboro with his father's
family in 1808. He struggled with poverty in his youth,
but gradually arose by his own efibrts to a position of influ-
ence. He was a well known and able lawyer. He held
many prominent and responsible offices, in all of which he

SMITHFIELD. ^jr

proved himself to be a man of superior ability, well sus-
taining the confidence reposed in him. He was State Sen-
ator from the 23d District in 1850, and at the time of his
death, in 1866, he held the position of High Sheriff of
Madison County. It was said of him, that, although esteem-
ed and respected for his abilities, yet it was the kindness of
his heart, his strong sympathy for human suffering which
had most endeared him to all. He passed away tit the age
of 61 years.

THE EVANS FUND.

In 1848 William Evans, Esq., of Boston, deposited a fund
of $10,000 in the hands of Gerrit Smith to endow a "Home"
for the poor of the town of Smithfield. He appointed Ger-
rit Smith first Treasurer, designating that at each subse-
quent annual town meeting the legal voters should elect a
suitable and responsible person as Treasurer. The provis-
ions he made were, that the principal shall be loaned in
sums of not over $1,000 upon good bond and mortgage se-
curity ; and that as soon after 1862 as the accumulated in-
terest amounts to a sufficient sum, a farm of not less than
fifty acres, within one and a half miles of Peterboro, shall
be bought, and suitable buildings erected thereon as a home
for the needy ; where under the most favorable auspices
they shall be made to forget the necessities of their condi-
tion, and where habits of self-respect, self-reliance, industry,
prudence and economy, the underlying principles of suc-
cess, shall be nurtured, while the healthy comforts of life are
being enjoyed.

The day which Mr. Evans set apart to execute his errand
of love— the formal presentation of his gift— was Friday,
September 3d, 1858, the forty-seventh anniversary of his
birth. The day was one of festivities and rejoicing, a " red
letter day in the calendar of Smithfield."*

William Evans was born in Smithfield of very poor parents.

* See Evans Memorial.

•J\6 MADISON COUNTY.

September 3d, 181 1. His earliest days were spent in poverty
and privation ; but he inherited a good constitution and all the
elements of physical and mental health. Trained to habits
of industry, economy and morality by one of the wisest of
mothers, the foundation of a grand and successful manhood
was laid. He went into the world very young and very poor.
In the course of years his name became coupled with the
great enterprises of the day, — a heavy and successful con-
tractor on public works. He amassed wealth, and devoted
much of it to benevolent enterprises in various ways.

The Evans Fund in care of Gerrit Smith, who has con-
tinued Treasurer, has increased from ten to fifteen thousand
dollars. The proper establishment of the "Home" is under
consideration, but in the mean time its benefits are felt by
the destitute, for the trustees pay over three hundred dol-
lars a year to a committee of three responsible ladies, to be
used by them as their judgment shall dictate for the relief
of the needy of the town. For a time the Evans Fund was,
with his consent, used to endow the Peterboro Academy,
which then had its name changed to "Evans Academy."
This building is now (1872) used for the purposes of the
Home for orphan children, it having been donated for that
purpose by Gerrit Smith ; and by the consent of Mr. Evans
the use of the Fund has been appropriated to establishing
the Orphan's Home.

Peterboro Academy was incorporated January 23d, 1853.
In i860 a report states that it had 42 students, 14 of whom
pursued classical studies. The value of its lot and build-
ings at that time was ^4,528 ; its library $2oy ; apparatus
$174. Total revenues ^334; total expenditures $319.
Number of volumes in the library 184.

At a subsequent period, the Evans Fund became an en-
dowment for the Academy and.it was then called the "Evans
Academy." In 1870 the Academy building was donated
for the Orphan Asylum, and the Presbyterian Church has
been transformed into the Academy.

SMITHFIELD. ^j-

The Grpha7ts Home in Peterboro village, was established
heie in 1870. The old Academy, a building of goodly pro-
portions, three stories high, appropriately fitted up, was
placed at the command of the Supervisors of the County,
for the Home, by Gerrit Smith. Mr. Charles Blakeman and
wife were appointed to take charge. Twenty children from
the County Poor House were placed in their care. They
are comfortably situated and resources for their advance-
ment are constantly being multiplied.

PETER SMITH.

Peter Smith, the proprietor of the celebrated New Peters-
burgh Tract, was born in Rockland County, N. Y., in the
year 1768. Of his advantages in early life we have no data,
but infer they were fair ; therefore we fin 1 him at the early
age of sixteen (1784) entering as clerk in the counting-
house of Abraham Herring & Co., of New York. For
three years he served in this capacity, and where he was
characterized for his brightness and activity, and his aptness
in acquiring knowledge. From here, at the age of nine-
teen, with a supply of goods for a country store, he removed
and settled himself in trade at a small place called the " Fall
Hill," about two miles below Little Falls. He remained
bat a year here, and then went to Old Fort Schuyler, where
he put up a log store, nearly on the site of the Bagg Tav-
ern. He continued in the mercantile business in Utica
several years, and also built two fine residences there, the
last of the two having a farm of 150 acres attached to it.
i^^Mr. Smith's unusual success in trading with the Indians
and in dealing in the fur trade, attracted the attention of
other men of enterprise among whom was John Jacob
Astor, who became a partner with him in the trade in furs.
At a later period they were united in buying lands. By
a dextrous improvement of every sale of public lands, Mr.
Smith early acquired a large fortune, having become the
possessor of extensive tracts in various parts of the State.

In 1794, he obtained the New Petersburgh tract of the

7i8

MADISON COUNTY.

Oneida Indians, the history of which is given in the forego-
ino". In 1802, he removed to Whitesboro, where he resided
until his removal to Smithfield in 1806. Here he built the
family mansion, which has since been much changed and is
now (1871) the home of Hon. Gerrit Smith.

Upon the organization of Madison County in 1806, Mr.
Smith was chosen one of the Judges of the County ; in
1807, he was appointed first Judge, and continued to hold
that position till 1821. It was said by the lawyers of that
day that he made a most excellent magistrate, that although
his school education was limited he wrote a bold and free
hand, and expressed himself well ; that his knowledge of
human nature was profound, and few words were spoken by
him in conversation that were not worthy of recording.

All matters in his care received minute attention. He was
known as a man of extensive knowledge, of careful habits
and unceasing industry. Even among the Indians he was
noted for those qualities, and in consequence they gave him
the sobriquet of " Sawmill," meaning, " the man of incessant
activity.

The following anecdote, entirely characteristic, is related
of Judge Smith : — A poor man entered the office of the
Judge and took a seat. After witnesfing in silence for
some rime the ease and rapidity with which the Judge han-
dled his papers and dispatched his business, he drew a
heavy sigh and burst out with the abrupt question : —
" Judge Smith, what must I do to become a rich man ?"
Dropping his pen and drawing down his spectacles as he
raised his head, the Judge replied at once, yet deliberately,
" Mr. Lawson, you must be born again."

Sagacious and shrewd, he was also active and untiring
in his efforts to accumulate, yet he was a man of his word,
and too wise to be dishonest. Independent and fearless, he
was at the same time modest and unassuming, and held
himself as no more than the equal of those of lesser
means. Excessively plain in his dress and equipage, and

SMITHFIELD 719

frugal in all his ways, he was even lavish where his feel-
ings were enlisted ; for these feelings were deep, and his
aftections ardent. In person he was five feet and eight
inches high, and rather stout. The most striking features
were his curved nose and hawk eye, which latter was keen
and penetrating. His readiness of resource, and his
promptness to circumvent a rival are well illustrated in a
story that has already appeared in print, which is as fol-
lows : — He was lodging one night at Post's Tavern, at the
same time that Messrs. Phelps and Gorham were also
guests. Mr. Smith occupied a room which was separated
from the other land speculators by a very thin partition.
In the night he heard them whispering together about a
certain valuable tract of land which they were on the point
of buying. Rising from his bed and summoning the land-
lord for his horse, he was soon on his way to the land-office,
at Albany. When Messrs. Phelps and Gorham had finish-
ed their night's rest, and taken their breakfast, they jogged on
leisurely to the same destination. What was their surprise
when near the end of their journey, to encounter on his
way back, Mr. Smith, whom they had so recently seen in
Old Fort Schuyler, and how much more astonished to learn
on reaching the office at Albany, that the coveted prize
was his. Messrs. Phelps and Gorham paid Mr. Smith a
handsome bonus for his bargain.

Skenandoah, the " white man's friend," was regarded by
Judge Smith with warm friendship, and he was frequently
visited by the aged chief So harmonious was their inti-
macy that Mr. Smith named one of his sons, Peter Sken-
andoah Smith, in honor of this last chief of the Oneidas
and in memory of their friendship.

Four children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Smith, all dur-
ing their residence in Utica. Cornelia, wife of Capt. Coch-
rane, Peter Sken. (Skenandoah,) Adolphus, who died at the
age of 45 years, and Gerrit. In his marriage, Mr. Smith
connected himself with the Livingston family, so well and

720 MADISON COUNTY.

honorably known in the early history of New York State.
His wife was the daughter of Col. James Livingston of the
revolutionary army, and sister of the wife of the late Hon.
Daniel Cady, of Johnstown, N. Y. She was a woman
esteemed lor her piety, for her rare intellectual gifts, and
all the graces that adorn the true lady. She died August
27, 1818.

Up to the year 18 19, Judge Smith resided in Peterboro,
attending to the various duties of his public office, and
the arduous labors connected with the management of his
large estate. At this period he conveyed his estates to his
son Gerrit, and spent many of his last years in traveling.
He finally settled in Schenectady, where he died April i 3,
1837.

Peter Skenandoah Smith, who died in 1857, was the eld-
est son of Peter Smith, born in 1795. The noble and gen-
erous qualities of his mind and heart made him greatly
beloved by all who knew him. He died in Oswego, N, Y.,
at the age of sixty-three.

HON. GERRIT SMITH.

Gerrit Smith was born in Utica, March 6, i797-
He received his education at Clinton, graduating at Ham-
ilton College with the highest honors of his class in 18 18.
In the language of Rev. Albert Barnes, once a fellow stu-
dent with him, " his high social position, warm, generous
nature, and acknowledged talents and scholarship, led to a
universal expectation of a high career of honor and use-
fulness." His life has more than verified these expectations,
but quite likely in a direction least expected. The intel-
lectual world was, perhaps, best acquainted with his quali-
ities, yet it knew little of the individuality of the man, and
little foresaw the career he would mark out for himself

In the year 1819, Gerrit Smith married Miss Wealtha,
only daughter of President Backus, of Hamilton College.
Seven months of happy wedded life followed, and then

y.

SMITHFIELD.

721

death bereaved him. With his afifectionate and impulsive
nature, thus thrown back upon himself, he redoubled his
vigilance and energy in the care of the large estate, con-
veyed to him by his father, (Nov. ist of the same year,)
and thus bore up manfully under his early affliction. In
January, 1822, he was again married to Miss Ann Carroll,
daughter of Colonel Fitzhugh, formerly of Maryland. Of
a family of seven children born to them, but two lived to
the years of maturity. These are Mrs. Charles D. Miller,
residing at Geneva, N. Y., and Greene C. Smith of Peter-
boro.

With a heart full and overflowing with sympathy for all
classes of unfortunates, and with abundant means at his
command, Mr. Smith early identified himself with the benev-
olent enterprises of the day. In 1825 he connected himself
with the American Colonization Society, with the hope that
its projects and efforts would be successful and lead to speedy
emancipation. He gave largely for its interests, but in 1835
he withdrew and connected himself with the American
Anti-Slavery Society, as a surer prospect of accomplishing
the desired result.

Though by inheritance arid purchase from fellow heirs a
large land-holder, he nevertheless became strongly opposed
to land monopoly and practically illustrated his sentiments
by the distribution of 200,000 acres of land, in part amongst
institutions of learning, but mostly among poor white and
black men. His largest gifts in money have been in aid of
emancipation and to assist the poor in buying homes. He
made it a rule to give all he could spare.

Mr. Smith was never a regular student of law, yet
he was admitted to practice in State and Federal Courts in
1853. He had been a student of men, measures, and stat-
utes during a third of a century, and became a lawyer of
rank through a steady, liealthy growth of intellect.

In 1 86 1, and at intervals all through the war of the re-
bellion, he made public speeches in favor of a vigorous and

T2

722 MADISON COUNTY,

uncompromising prosecution of the war, and from time to
time wrote and published circulars in the interest of the
Union cause.

For many years he had advocated by public speeches,
published essays and appeals, a larger liberty of opinion and
freedom from what he believed to be 'the bondage of sect. In
1856, a volume of his speeches in Congress was published ;
in 1861 another volume was issued, entitled "Sermons and
Speeches ;" in 1868 "Letters of Rev. Albert C. Barnes and
Gerrit Smith" appeared.

Mr. Smith's religion is as comprehensive as his principles
of freedom. It is essentially a religion of love. "Do unto
others as you would they should do to you" is the religion
of his life, taught by him in precept and by example. It fills
his heart with the deepest sympathy and the broadest phi-
lanthropy ; and yet, from convictions which have settled
themselves in his mind after the maturity of years of
study and reflection, it is emphatically a religion of reason,
which discards all statements not based upon proofs which
can be substantiated by the essence of truth ; it must be
taught by facts, and not fancies. But in throwing away all
that he cannot reconcile with his ideas of truth, he might
remove the foundation upon which another's reason would
stand. Let him place a broader, firmer stepping stone, not
too high, before removing the rock on which the millions
have rested their faith ! He holds that the religion of rea-
son is tolerant and patient, because men are conscious that
reason, mixed as it is in the human breast with ignorance,
prejudice and passion, is not to be relied on as an entire-
ly infallible guide.

Against Slavery, Land Monopoly, Intemperance, and for
Woman's Rights, he launched the force of his master intel-
lect, always telling with powerful effect wherever directed

In 1852, when elected to Congress, in defining his politi-
cal position he thus gave a few of the "peculiarities," as he
terms them, of his political creed :

SMITHFIELD.

723

"I St, That it acknowledges no law and knows no law for
slavery ; that not only is slavery not in the Federal Consti-
tution, but that by no possibility could it be brought either
into the Federal or in a State Constitution." It seems, that
having defined his principles he went to Congress with no
other aim than to defend and enforce them on every occa-
sion when they were legitimate, or pertinent in debate. His
memorable, speech on the Nebraska Bill brought up again
the ever recurring question of Slavery ; and here he siezed
theopportunity to enlighten the Honorable Body, the House,
in his view of the laws of God and humanity.

" 2d. The right to the soil is as natural, absolute and
equal, as the right to the light and air." The " Home-
stead Bill " called forth his masterly appeal for " homes for
all," yet when the bill came up amended so as to limit the
grant of land to ivJiite persons, he voted against it, "and
that to " he says " nothwithstanding I have for so many
years loved, advocated and acted upon, the great essential
principles of the bill." He adds : — " The curse of God is
upon the bill, or there is no God, There is no God, if we
have liberty to insult and outrage any portion of His child-
ren."

" 3d. That political rights are not conventional, but
natural, inhering in all persons, the black as well as the
white, the female as well as the male."

Witness this defense of a theory unpopular now, scarcely
thought worthy of respectful notice then — " Woman's Suf-
frage."

" 4th. That the doctrine of " free trade," is the necessary
outgrowth of the doctrine of human brotherhood ; and that
to impose restrictions on commerce is to build up unnatural
and sinful barriers across that brotherhood."

" 5th, That national wars are as brutal, barbarous and un-
necessary, as are the violence and bloodshed to which mis-
guided and frenzied individuals are prompted, and that our
country should, by her own Heaven-trusting and beautiful

724 MADISON COUNTV.

example, hasten the day when the nations of the earth
shall " beat their swords into ploughshares and their spears
into pruning- hooks ; when nation shall not lift up sword
against nation, nor learn war any more."

" 6th. That the province of the Government is but to pro-
tect persons and property ; and that the building of rail-
roads and canals, and the care of schools and churches, fall
entirely outside of its Hmits and exclusively within the
range of the 'voluntary principle,' Narrow, however, as are
these limits, every duty within them is to be promptly, faith-
fully, and fully performed : — as well, for instance, the duty
on the part of the Federal Government to put an end to the
dram-shop manufacture of paupers and madmen in the
city of Washington, as the duty on the part of the State
Government to put an end to it in the State."

" 7th. That as far as practicable, every officer, from the
highest to the lowest, including especially the President and
Postmaster, should be elected directly by the people."

In his speech on the then late war with Mexico, also that
on the Pacific Railroad Bill, his letter to Senator Hamlin
on the Reciprocity Treaty, and his speech on the bill mak-
ing appropriations to the naval service, he availed himself
of the privilege to defend and enforce his views of each
subject. How heroically he battled for his principles of
right the reader of those speeches will readily feel. In the
bill making appropriations for the naval service, he en-
deavored to introduce the following clause : — " but no
intoxicating liquors shall be provided as a beverage." In a
speech glowing with earnestness and anxiety for our nation-
al welfare he insisted on its adoption, — only to see it fail.
This was in July, 1854. He still persists in his arguments
and entreaties to the people — finding that the government
fails — to do away with all dram-shops and liquor selling.
Just so persistently he fought against slavery, wisely direct-
ing his forces, until he saw the huge superstructrue of evil
crumbling: before him. The crisis came in a manner he had

SMITHFIELD. 735

not souo-ht and sooner than he had presumed to hope ; "he
had builded better than he knew."

One cannot rise from the reading of his speeches in Con-
gress without beholding the man, as with the interior sight,
in all the grandeur of his high manhood, standing alone,
surrounded by opposing forces, boldly declaring most un-
popular theories, defending with the might of a Hercules
the rights of the down trodden slave. His cool, clear brain
was never confused ; God-given power inspired utterances
of God's truth ; he wrought under the illumination of the
fires he had kindled upon the altars of truth, freedom, and
universal brotherhood ; the weight of justly balanced argu-
ments convinced ; his comprehensive mind weighed nation
against nation, excusing not our own national sins more
than those of others. He was a patriot, but more, a phi-
lanthropist. If he erred, it was in the way of according too
large liberty to the people ; for he advocated the principle
that " the less a people are governed the better they are
governed."

But Gerrit Smith never loved the arena of political war-
fare ; his deep sense of the wrongs which have been allowed
to exist with no voice of authority lifted against them, has
been all that has drawn him from the peaceful rural life he
loves so well. Having been the manager, as well as the
possessor, of the extensive landed estate inherited from his
father, his general tastes and habits were of the more quiet
and retired class. Amid the surroundings of nature, his
great philanthropy and the wonderful sympathy for his fel-
low-men has been in great part developed. Much of the
vast property gathered by the shrewd management and
thrifty enterprise of the father, has been judiciously and
wisely distributed by the son, in obedience to the holy les-
sons learned.

In his home, wealth has been expended for the cultivation
of all intellectual tastes and domestic virtues, and everything
is in keeping with the largest hospitality. Harmony and

726 MADISON COUNTY.

affection preside. Mrs. Smith is a lovely woman. Her
devoted and religious character is conspicuous, and her fine
and elevated mind grasps the beautiful and the pure, and
worships the noble and the good.

SILOAM.

This small village is located in a deep valley, through
which the Cowassalon Creek flows.. On the east rises the
ridge, or rather stretch of highland, which separates the
Oneida Creek, or Stockbridge valley, from the Cowassalon
valley. Westerly rises another range of the water-shed.
The old Peterboro Turnpike passes through this village.
As one descends the steep hills from the westward, at a
curve in the road he is suddenly surprised at the sight of
the little " ville" nestled so cosily at the base of the hills in
the narrow, deep valley. He sees first — and conspicuously
from his standpoint — on the pretty landscape, the round, or
octagon building painted white, Mr. Hardy's apiary. It is
constructed on the most modern or scientific plan for bee-
keeping. He sees at least two large buildings, which were
once taverns, one of which is converted into a cheese facto-
ry ; and then the old Baptist church, somewhat hoary with
age, not a large building, and without a steeple — an append-
age it never had — in the rear of which is the old burial
ground, with many old, and some new headstones. This
last was built about 1820. Siloam has now, (1872,) some
fifteen or twenty dwelling houses, some of them not in the
style of to-day, and wearing the aspect of age, though they
were reckoned pretty cottages in the day of their erection.

This place was settled about 1803. Its first pioneer is
said to have been John or George Gregg. The next were
Capt. Joseph Black, a Mr. Cowen and a John and Jacob
De Mott.

Capt. Joseph Black kept the first tavern of the place, in a
log house, about 1804 or '05 ; the next was kept by his son,
John Black, and the third by J. Ellenwood, about 1808, in
a small house built by himself This building was demol-

SMITHFIELD. ' 727

ished in the summer of 1871, thus obhterating a rather old
landmark. The first grist mill of the village — the one in
operation now — was built in 18 10, by Jeremiah Ellenwood
and Elijah Manley, and the first saw mill, in the same year,
by Ellenwood and David Coe. The present owner of this
grist mill is Hosea W. Holmes. The first store was kept
by Alexander Ostrander and John Black, in 1821 or '22,
but it started on a small scale as is illustrated by the follow-
ing : — A few days after it was opened, one of the proprie-
tors seeing a citizen that lived a mile or so out of the vil-
lage, invited him in to see his store. The citizen walked in
and apparently surveyed its contents with some degree of
surprise, and then exclaimed, " Nice ! very nice ! just such
an establishment as every man wants for his own conven-
ience."

Benjamin Palmer was the first physician located in Si-
loam.

In addition to the business of this place as above men-
tioned, there were built at a later day a brewery and a distil-
lery, by J. Ellenwood, another distillery by Daniel Dickey,
(once a Member of Assembly,) and the third by Wilbur &
Wales. These distilleries furnished whisky enough for the
whole surrounding country. For some years before the
Chenango Canal was completed, the two taverns of the place
dealt out at retail about one hundred barrels yearly, there
being in those years a large business done by teams, which
furnished them patronage, hauling plaster through this sec-
tion to the southern counties of the State. After the canal
was opened the resident population refused to sustain these
institutions by dram-drinking patronage, and they went down •
There is now no inn in the place; but any respectable appear-
ing traveller is able to obtain comfortable entertainment of
the well-to-do citizens.

The village was first known as "Ellenwood's Hollow ;"
but Elder Beman, of Peterboro, gave it the Scripture name
of Siloam, on account of the medicinal qualities of a spring

728 MADISON COUNTY.

of water here which was resorted to, to some extent, by in-
valids. This water has proved very beneficial. It doubtless
contains as many medicinal qualities as any other mineral
spring of the many in this section of the State. It is still
occasionally visited, but no improvements are made around it.

The Baptist Church of Siloani. — The church edifice was
built in 1820. Among the first members are Phillip P.
Brown and wife, David Coe and wife, William Sloan
and wife, John Warren and wife, Nathan Parkhurst
and wife, John Stewart and wife, Capt. Joseph Black and
wife, and Miss Fannie Wood. The church society was or-
ganized January 5 th, 1820, with forty-five members. Elder
Dyer D. Ransom was the first pastor. Elder P. P. Brown,
now of Madison village, was pastor some ten years. When
he closed his labors the church members numbered two hun-
dred. After he left these dwindled away ; in a few years
but a small percentage was left.

The Presbyterian Church of Peterboro was instituted at
an early day. Its early membership was not large. The meet-
ing house was built about 1820. It was built on an exten-
sive plan at great cost, the work being largely aided pecu-
niarily by Gerrit Smith. It has recently been changed into
the Peterboro Academy.

The Baptist Church at Peterboro was organized about 1 8 10.
Meetings were regularly held in school houses and private
dwellings until 1820, when the Baptist meeting house was
built.

The Methodist Episcopal Church at Peterboro. — This so-
ciety was first organized as a class on Mile Strip in Febru-
ary, 1830, by Rev. Isaac Puffer, assisted by George Butler,
a local preacher. Meetings were held in the school house.
About sixty persons were connected with this society. Sub-
sequently this society was transferred to Peterboro where
they held meetings in the Presbyterian Church. In 1853
the society was reorganized and the same year built their
meeting house.

STOCKBRIDGE. 729

CHAPTER XVI

STOCKBRIDGE.

Boundaries. — Geography. — Home of the Oneidas. — Evidences
of an Extinct Race. — Indian ReHcs. — Early Settlers. — Inci-
dents.— Indian Neighbors. — The Oneida Stone. — Prominent
Families. — Cook's Corners. — Munnsville. — Stockbridge. —
Enterprises. — Churches.

Stockbridge, lying upon the east border of the county
north of the center, is bounded north by Lenox and Oneida
County, east by Oneida County, south by Madison and
Eaton, and east by Smithfield and Lenox.

This town was named from the Stockbridge Indians, and
was formed from Vernon and Augusta, Oneida County, and
Smithfield and Lenox, of this county, May 20, 1836, which
makes it the youngest in the sisterhood of towns. It has
an area of 18,721 acres. It embraces a large part of the
" Six Mile Tract " granted to the Stockbridge Indians in
1784, and a portion of the Peter Smith Tract. Previous to
the forming of this town, the bounds of Madison County
did not extend west of Oneida Creek.

The surface of this town is broken by two high ranges
of hills extending from north to south, the summits of
which are from 500 to 800 feet above the valley of the
Oneida Creek. The chief branch of this creek has its
source in Smithfield, and enters the valley in the southeast
corner of the town. Its course is marked by the wildest
scenery. Before entering the valley it pours down a series

730 MADISON COUNTY.

of cascades, low falls and rapids, which for beauty are not
surpassed by anything in this part of the country. Numerous
visitors are attracted to this romantic spot, which is about
one and a half miles south or southwest from Munnsville.

Another branch of the Oneida rises to the southward in
among the convolutions of the northern hills of Eaton.
These form a fair stream, upon which are many mill sites.

Oneida Valley, deep, and narrow at its head, gently widens
as the lofty ranges recede, and at the northern extremity of
the town begins to spread out, and merges into the open
level country of Lenox, From the low valley the forest
capped hights, broken by rugged ledges and rocks white
with lime deposits, appear magnificent. The valley, nestling
far down at the foot of the hills, seems to rest in perfect
quietness and seclusion. In the grand convulsion of nature,
which ages ago rent these mountains asunder, there was
formed a refuge, a haven of peace, for the races who first
sought it for its seclusion.

The soil of this region is a clayey and gravelly loam.
Near the falls hydraulic limestone is quarried, while there
are other considerable limestone quarries among the hills.
Gypsum is found near Cook's Corners. East of Munsville,
on the hill road leading from the depot, limestone rock
abounds. Where the road winds around the high point,*
it forms a wild and picturesque scene, — rocks overhang-
ing the base of the cliff hundreds of feet, wide fissures,
rough indentations, citing the mind to a period when great
commotions of nature agitated this region. Caves, which
have never been explored to any great extent on account of
noxious gases, are found in this range. Upon the top of
this ridge, near the roadside, runs a small stream which falls
down among the rocks. Its bed, which shows the stream
to have been once much larger than it is now, is full of
large flat rocks of different kinds. In one variety there are
plainly defined tracks, evidently made when they were in a

* Musquito Point.

STOCKBRIDGE. 73 1

State of clayey consistence, — tracks of the feet of animals
walking across, and of persons stepping about and standing
upon them. There are the plain and quite deeply indented
footsteps of a woman, and of the foot of a man — we judge
from the appearance — and those of a child about eight
years of age. The woman's shoes were of a marked fash-
ion— narrow round toe, broad across the ball, shapely and
small instep and heel, of a size perhaps number four. A
slipper we have seen, worn one hundred years ago, is of
similar shape. The larger boot, or shoe track, shows a sim-
ilar fashion, nothing near so comely in shape, however, and
of middling size for a man. There are several impressions,
two or three inches deep, as if made by the unshod feet of
horses, some of them, however, very large. There are
tracks of the parted hoofs of cattle, and some easily distin-
guished tracks of deer. The rocks in which these are im-
bedded are dark brown, and are of fine grain. Of course
the impressions were made when this was soft, and the pet-
rifying process could not have been slow, or the action of
rain and other causes would have effaced the indentations.
We are led to conjecture that these now broad rocks were
argillo-calcareous deposits, with an infiltration of silicious
earth, which, by some change in the small stream, were but
recently left bare when those footprints were made ; or,
even those very persons by removing some obstructions
might have slightly changed the channel of the water, leav-
ing these deposits exposed to the air, and which, as they
dried, became hardened.

Stockbridge is an old Indian town, older than is general-
ly supposed. There are evidences that the whole range of
high hill east of Oneida Creek was once thickly peopled
with a race of men, many of whom were very large in stat-
ure. Their burial grounds have been discovered in several
places from the south line of the town to the north, on this
range. On the farms of Taylor Gregg and Ichabod Fran-
cis, many graves have been found upon which large trees

732 MADISON COUNTY.

were standing, when the country was new. Indian relics
were so abundant, and graves were so numerous that it is
beheved there must have been a great battle fought here in
the ages past. Beads could be picked up here and there
in considerable quantities ; hatchets, axes,* and many other
curious relics, are scattered about, having been covered
with the accumulating soil of ages, and which the husband-
man's plow brings to the surface. Curiosity seekers
have carried off many of these relics, but there is, however,
now and then an instance where they are allowed to
remain. More than a mile on the road northeast from
Munnsville Depot, in the woods, there is an Indian's skull,
lying partly exposed among the rubbish of the woods. Sev-
eral individuals are now living who noticed this same skull
thirty years ago. It being in an out-of-the-way place, it has
remained undisturbed till the present time.

Some of the skeletons found in these burial grounds are
of extraordinary size. One gentleman remarked that he
took one of the large jaw bones and found it sufficiently
ample to cover his own lower jaw. Another person stated
that he took one of the skulls from which the base had
decayed, and found he could place it with ease over the out-
side of his own head.

In 1869, before the " Cardiff Giant,"t humbug had been
exposed, and while the public were holding " a court of
inquiry," individuals having important facts in their pos-
session gave them publicity. Among others, Mr. A. Somers,
of Vernon, Oneida County, published the following :

" There are rumors that the Indians have a tradition that there
has lived in this country a race of tall men unlike themselves ;
but said traditional rumor might or might not be true. Good

* One man has a log chain which he had manufactured from axes found in this
vicinity.

t A large statue which was dug from the bed of a swamp in Cardiff, Onondaga
County. It was at first supposed to be a petrified human body of an age pre-Ad-
amite, or at least of the age when giants existed. It was, however, discovered to be
an ingenious work of art placed there by some mercenary individuals, an adventure
in which they were successful, so far as hoaxing the public to the amount of
large sums of money was concerned.

STOCKBRIDGE,

71-i

evidence, however, exists that this tradition is entitled to some
credence. About twenty-five years ago, Mr. John Dunlap (since
deceased,) father of Edward Dunlap, of Oneida, informed me
that when the ground was being prepared for the barn on said
Edward Dunlap's farm, which he now owns, in the northeast
part of the town of Stockbridge, discovery was made of a
deposit of human bones of extraordinary length and size. One
of the leg bones was compared with his own by restino- it on
the ground beside his foot, and said leg bone extended four inch-
es above his knee. Mr. J. Dunlap was a man not over medium
height, but allowing the framework of the body of which said
leg bone was a part, to be in proportion to it, it would equal or
more than equal the height of the Cardiff Giant. The narrator
of the above did not speak so much of extraordinary size as length.
He spoke of one skull being examined in which was an ounce
leaden ball. From evidences that were- quite reliable, informa-
tion was drawn that said dejDOsit of human bones were the
remains of men killed in battle, many human bones havino- been
unearthed by the plow from time to time on various parts of
the farm, and quite frequently in years past war implements not
found or known among the Indians, when the country was set-
tled by Europeans, have been plowed up. Some of those war
implements are much like those used by civilized nations a hun-
dred or two hundred years ago, and some were of a much ruder
pattern.

L. H. Warren, Esq., of Augusta, Oneida County, writes
upon the same subject under date of Dec. 17, 1869:

" We add another bit of the same class of information, also
indicating that a gigantic race, long since extinct, preceded us
here in Central New York. Twenty and more years ago there
was a strip of old forest included in the farm of the late Will-
iam Smith, Esq., of Stockbridge, along the east side of which
v/as a singular formed ridge, being long north and south, only a
few rods wide, and oval. On the centre of this ridge for some
distance, in a nearly straight line, numerous graves were formed
at an early day, each being distinctly indicated by a little mound,
some of them with a forest tree standing over the center, and
many others with a tree intruding more or less upon one side.
On opening these mounds, those parts of the human anatomy
which are said to endure the longest — the skull, jaw, teeth, and
the leg and thigh bones — were found well preserved ; some-
times a skeleton would be exhumed nearly entire. The rings of
the trees over the graves counted from three to four hundred,
indicating at least as many years since the remains were deposi-
ted there. The Oneida and Stockbridge Indians, so long in

y:\^ MADISON COUNTY.

possession of the same soil, knew nothing of the people who
gave these relics sepulture. The place was visited from time to
time by mercenary as well as curious people, and the mounds
duo" open and plundered of other contents than mortal remains,
for the mere sake of the plunder, which consisted of small brass
kettles, iron hatchets, and various metallic ornaments. The
bodies were found to have been buried in a sitting posture, as
seems to have been the custom with the Indian tribes long,
before the advent of white men among them ; and the most of
the b'>nes exhumed whole and perfect were found very large
as compared with corresponding bones of our day. Some
skulls were said to be larger than the living head of the pres-
ent white race. The indications are that these were really Indi-
an graves and that the people to whom they belonged lived and
flourished more than four hundred years ago — before the dis-
covery of America by Columbus. This statement can undoubt-
edlv be verified by many individuals still living in Stockbridge,
and the evidences are that some time in the past, a people more
formidable than we are as a race, existed in our section at least
of the American domain.

" How lived, how loved, how died they.'"

There is evidence in the writings of the ancient travelers,
and of the Jesuits, to prove that those remains of unusually
gigantic proportions, were of a race who existed in Central
New York full three hundred years ago, and who were
called the Neuter Nation, Charlevoix, a French writer,
says, that in the year 1642, "a people larger, stronger and
better formed than any other savages, and who lived south
of the Huron country, were visited by the Jesuits, who
preached to them the Kingdom of God. They were called
the Neuter Nation, because they took no part in the wars
which desolated the country, but in the end, they could not
themselves escape entire destruction. To avoid the fury of
the Iroquois, they finally joined them against the Hurons,
but gained nothing by the union. The Iroquois, like lions
that have tasted blood cannot be satisfied, destroyed indis-
criminately all that came in their way, and at this day there
remains no trace of the Neuter Nation." The same author
tells us that the Neuter Nation was destroyed about the
year 1643. La Fiteu another French writer, in his "Maeurs
des Sauvages," published at Paris in 1724, writes concern-

STOCKBRIDGE. 735

ing the quarrel between the Senecas and the Neuter Nation,
which he had from the authority of Father Garnier, a Jesuit
Missionary,

Mr. Schoolcraft assumes that the Senecas warred upon
and conquered the Neuter Nation, and came in possession
of their territory, twenty-four years before the advent of
La Salle,* upon the Niagara River.

Father L' Allemant, a Jesuit Missionary in 1645, wrote
that : — " According to the estimate of these illustrious
fathers, [Jean De Brebeuf and Joseph Marie Chaumonot,]
who have been there, the Neuter Nation comprises about
12,000 souls which enables them to furnish 4,000 warriors,
notwithstanding war, pestilence and famine have prevailed
among them for three years in an extraordinary manner.

After all, I think that those who have heretofore ascribed
such an extent and population to this nation, have under-
stood by the Neuter Nation, all who live south and south-
west of our Hurons, and who are truly in great numbers,
and, being at first only partially known, have all been com-
prised under the same name. * * * They were named
by the French, Neuter Nation, and not without reason, for
their country being the ordinary passage by land, between
some of the Iroquois nations and the Hurons, who are
sworn enemies, they remain at peace with both ; so that
in times past the Hurons and Iroquois meeting in the same
wigwam or village of that nation, were both in safety while
they remained. Recently, their enmity against each other
is so great, that there is no safety for either party in any
place, particularly for the Hurons, for whom the Neuter
Nation entertain the least good will.

There is every reason for believing that not long since,
the Hurons, Iroquois and Neuter Nation, formed one
people, and originally came from the same family, but have
in the lapse of time, become separated from each other,
more or less in distance, interests and affection, so that some

* La Salle came in 1678. *

736 MADISON COUNTY.

are now enemies, others neutral, and others still live in
intimate friendship and intercourse. The food and clothing
of the Neuter Nation seem little different from our Hurons.
They have Indian corn, beans and gourd in equal abund-
ance." The writer also speaks of their fruit ; chestnuts and
crab-apples such as -Hurons have, only somewhat larger.
They differ from the Hurons in being larger, stronger and
better formed. " They also entertain a great affection for
the dead, and have a greater number of fools or jugglers."

Father L' Allemant also speaks of the contest between
them and the other nations, and thus adds : — "The war did
not terminate but by the total destruction of the Neuter
Nation."

From what is derived from these statements it is probable
that this nation was once in possession of the soil occupied
by the Iroquois till a late period ;* that they dwelt in great
numbers in this immediate vicinity, and that in their wig-
wams the fierce Huron and the relentless Iroquois met on
neutral ground. The evidence is strong that one of the
great battles which obliterated the race from the face of the
earth, transpired upon the very ground where the white man
to-day, in wonder pauses to pick up a splintered arrow, a
broken pipe or a quaint ornament, and with strange sensa-
tions of awe, discovers those fragmentary parts of massive
human beings once clothed with flesh and blood, and en-
dowed with life and intelligence.

We have lately come in posession of a tradition which was
current among the Oneidas when the first white settlers came.
It is related as follows : — Many generations ago the Indians
dvvelt near Canada and having a difficulty with the Canada
Indians fled to this region with the hope that this secure re-
treat would not be discovered by their persecutors. For a
time they lived on East Hill, but fearing the smoke of their
wigwams would betray them should their enemies come up

* One writer believes that the Kah Kwas spoken of by early travelers, are one
and the same as the Neuter Nation.

STOCKBRIDGE. 737

the Mohawk Valley, they subsequently removed their fam-
ilies to Stockbridge Hill. Upon "East Hill they left a few
men to watch the eastern country, who made a huge pile of
brush, which, in case of the enemy's approach, they were to
set on fire to warn the warriors out.

In time, their wary antagonists, by some curious art or
instinct peculiar to themselves, tracked these Indians to
their hiding place ; the great brush heap was fired, and the
warriors rushed to the rescue of the few left on guard. On
East Hill a fierce battle ensued in which all were destroyed.
Even the women and children, who had rushed to the spot,
fell victims to the fury of the Hurons. Here their bodies
found interment, and probably the very graves we look
upon with so much unsatisfied curiosity to-day, are the sep-
ulchers of those unfortunate Indians of whom this tradi-
tion tells us.

In 1812 and '13 the Tuscaroras removed here and located
mostly in Oneida Valley and vicinity. The Oneidas, who
were their immediate predecessors upon the soil, had then
mostly congregated at Oneida Castle, when they offered the
Tuscaroras a home. These Tuscaroras it is believed planted
the large orchard in the southwest corner of Vernon, ad-
joining Stockbridge, which was a very old orchard when
the first white inhabitants came to Oneida County.

From documents preserved in the State archives we get
now and then a faint glimpse of this region and of its in-
habitants. Although dim are the views we gain thereby,
yet these have their charm.

We learn how the missionaries sought to educate the Tu.s-
caroras, at the Lebanon School for Indians, in Massachu-
setts, and were not generally successful on account of the
homesickness of the Indian youths, who pined for their na-
tive air. To obviate this difficulty a school was establis'.ed
at the Tuscarora village and Edward Johnson was sent on
as school-master. We have only one of his letters to tell
us how he fared among the natives. It is dated from Tus-

U2

yT^S MADISON COUNTY.

carora Castle, April loth, 1782, and is written to Sir Wil-
liam Johnson, asking for pecuniary assistance, and describ-
ing his trials and dangers. He speaks of two classes among
the Indians, one for, and the other against religion, the lat-
ter always striving to injure him, sometimes showing a dis-
position to take his life. He remarks of having a class of
eighteen scholars at Oneida, besides his school at Tuscarora.
At this school was David Fowler, a Montauk Indian, and
Samson Occum, a Mohegian both, afterwards, celebrated
as preachers among their race, here and elsewhere.

There is a tradition among the Indians which refers, un-
doubtedly, to Edward Johnson, It is averred that one day a
company of Pagans come down upon the quiet Indian set-
tlement where the white missionary lived, and captured
him, hurried him into a canoe on Oneida Creek, and pushed
off, telling him that he did not know how to worship God,
and they would now take him to their council and teach him
the true way. Presently they were discovered by the Chris-
tians, who followed in pursuit along the river bank. A trial
of speed ensued, in which the men on foot outstripped the
canoes, and succeeded in getting into the river and heading
off the boat. A struggle followed, in which the white man
was rescued, though not without his life being greatly en-
dangered.

The Tuscaroras became quite numerous in the Oneida
Valley, and also had settlements on the Susquehanna and at
Canaseraga. In 1736, their numbers were estimated by the
French to be two hundred and fifty warriors, or one thous-
and two hundred and fifty souls. In 1763, Sir William
Johnson estimated them at one hundred and forty war-
riors or seven hundred souls. During the Revolution a
considerable number of them with the Oneidas joined with
the colonists in the contest. After the war the Senecas
granted them lands within the present limits of Niagara
County to which they removed, leaving the Oneida Valley
and the hill sides for the Stockbridges who had purchased a
six mile tract of the Oneidas.

STOCKBRIDGE.

739

Their removal from ,here occured in 1784, the Stock-
bridges coming on the same year. Soon, all this tract was
again peopled with red men, although the Stockbridgeswere
not, at first, so numerous as their predecessors, numbering
the first year only four hundred and fifty souls. Rev. John
Sergeant came with them, and as a first step toward plant-
ing right institutions, formed a church. He built a meeting
house which was located at what is now Cook's Corners, and
which is yet standing. From its unassuming exterior one
may readily judge it to be what it is, a fiouse of antique
origin.

Here, Rev. Mr. Sergeant taught the natives to perpetu-
ate the name of God, and induced them to further take in-
terest in such arts as benefited white men.

About 1794, they built a grist mill and sawmill, nearly on
the site of the present grist mill at Cook's Corners.

The Stockbridge Indians increased in numbers, and by the
time the first white settlers came to this region, their cabins
dotted the whole valley of the Oneida. The productive
sheltered valley was, however, tempting to white settlers^
and many came in and rented farms of the Indians. By 18 12
these renters began to increase in considerable numbers,
particularly in the hill sections, as the Indians were loth to
part with the valley lands. West Hill, along Oneida Turn-
pike, was quite thickly settled before the Stockbridges made
their first sale.

In 1818, the State purchased of this nation a tract com-
prising 4,500 acres, for which, together with some other
lands, they received $5,380, and an annuity of $282.49.
West Hill was included in this sale. In 1822, in 1823, in
1825, in 1826, in 1829 and in 1830, treaties were held in
which the Stockbridge Indians sold to the State other por-
tions of their reservation, usually receiving a part of the
sum due at the time of the treaty, the remainder to be paid
subsequently under conditions agreed upon. The tracts
purchased at these different sales are variously named in

740

MADISON COUNTY.

documents as, West Hill Tract, East Hill Tract, Mile Strip,
Oneida Creek Tract, New Guinea Tract, &c. As late as
1842 and 1847 agreements were executed between the Com-
missioners of the Land Office and the Stockbridge Indians
of Wisconsin, relative to certain lots in Stockbridge.

After the State had obtained possession of these tracts
they were purchased by white settlers, many of whom had
previously rented. We have the names of some of the pur-
chasers on those tracts ; how many were early settlers we
are unable to tell. They were ; — Oliver Robbins, Nathaniel
Hurd, Michah Higley, John J. Knox, Northeast part of
Stockbridge ; Heman Grover, Jonathan West, Moses
Wheeler, Tnaddeus Muzzy, Joel Smith, Wm. H. Smith,
Nathan Marvin, Erastus Brewer, Fancis Greene and David
Manchester, East Hill Tract ; Justus Durkee, Philo Chapel,
Thomas Hart, Chapin Kelly, George Gregg, Thomas Reilly,
Joseph Tucker, Michael Carr, John Murray, James Moon,
Cornelius Patrick, James Newkirk, Lyman G. Sloan, Syl-
vester Pettibone, and Herman Knox, West Hill Tract ;
James Burleson, Harvey White, Varnum Jaquay and David
Powers, Mile Tract, New Stockbridge ; also, on the purchase
of 181 3, Abijah Reed and Myron Guthrie. On the pur-
chase of 1825, Asa McDoel, Alonzo Paige, John E. Water-
man, William Paige, Mary Paige, William T. Gregg, Cyrus
Gregg, John Carter, and William Wright. On the New
Guinea Tract, Nathan Pendleton and John Baldwin.

John Hadcock was one of the earliest white settlers of the
valley. His father, Daniel Hadcock, removed from Vernon
in 181 1 and located on the farm now owned by the son.
When quite young John Hadcock obtained a permit from
the government to trade with the Indians, and set up a small
store on the east limits of his farm. This was probably the
first store in Stockbridge. He, however, spent but a short
time in this vocation. He interested himself in ndian af-
fairs, learned their customs and acquired a knowledge of
their language. In the settlement of some difficulties in

STOCKBRIDGF,

741

reference to the claims of members of the Sergeant family
on the "orchard" lands, John Hadcock rendered efficient
service, for which, he was for a period constituted Indian
agent. He married a daughter of Angel De Ferriere, and
settled on the farm he still owns, one of the best of Oneida
Valley.

The Hadcocks were of English ancestry, estabhshed in
America before the Revolution. Three brothers, one of
whom was Daniel Hadcock the pioneer, were in the battle
at the taking of Burgoyne, having volunteered just previous
to the battle for the patriotic purpose of fighting and taking
that General. One of the three brothers was wounded unto
death. When peace was restored, Daniel Hadcock, with
Michael Kern and Hiram Moyer, who had been sent to
Chittenango on some official business, picked out farms in
the vicinity of Oak Hill in that town. Hadcock lived there
in 1794, and afterwards moved to Vernon from which place
he came to Stockbridge, as above stated.

In the north part of the town, the Peterboro and Oneida
Turnpike invited white settlers, to whom the Indians leased
their lands. Farms were laid out in one hundred acres each,
which were only sixty rods wide on the turnpike. This gave
the street a compact settlement, and had a tendency to in-
duce emigration. When the farms were all occupied on
West Hill in School District No. 19, (lying jointly in Stock-
bridge and Smithfield,) there were seventeen houses more
than there are now, and there were upwards of ninety schol-
ars to draw public money, while at present there are not
more than thirty, all told.

When settlers first came, the Turnpike had several gates
and numerous taverns. Before 18 18, however, the gates
were removed and the turnpike was thrown open as a pub-
lic highway. One of the earliest settlers on this street was
Joel Baker, who came in from Augusta, and for a while lived
with the Indians, then took a farm just in the edge of Smith-
field.

742 MADISON COUNTT.

The first settlement in the town, however^ was on
what became the Smith purchase, and was made in 1791.
Those who settled here were Oliver Stewart, Calvin, Barney,
John and Alfred Edson, William, Elijah and Joseph Devine,
William Sloan, Benjamin House, Amos Bridge, James Tafft,
Aaron, Matthew and Jarius Rankin, Jonathan Snow, Isaac
Chadwick, Talcott Divine, Watrous Graves, and Daniel
Thurston. The first marriage was that of John Devine and
Polly Edson, in 1793. The first death was that of widow
Anna Hall, in 1795. The first school was taught by Ed-
ward Foster, in 1797.

Among other early settlers of the town were John Gas-
ten, Waterman Simonds and Austin Carver. These were
of the old substantia] citizens, who, with others who have
been named, were deeply interested in public prosperity.

David Wood was an early settler on West Hill. James
Cook was an early settler at Knoxvflle ; also Anson Stone.
William Powers, Philander Powers, William Bridge, Chaun-
cey Beach and Isaac Richmond came early. Dr. Aaron
Rankin was the first physician of Stockbridge. He was
greatly respected for his skill in his profession, and honored
for his good and noble qualities as a man. On his death,
James Rankin succeeded him, and worthily filled his place.

Thaddeus Camp and Lebbeus Camp were early settlers ;
also William Sloan, at Knoxville, Benjamin House further
north, James Tafft on West Hill, J. Snow on the " Strip" ;
also a Mr. Chadwick and Thurston on the hill north of the
"Strip." The above statements are from widow Mary Free-
man, who, with her husband, Philip Freeman, removed from
Goshen to Stockbridge sixty-one years ago. She is now
eighty-six years of age, and has remarkably well preserved
powers of body and mind. She has sound teeth, good hear-
ing and eyesight, and frequently walks to Knoxville to
church, a distance of two miles.

John Gregg came from Augusta in 1812, and leased one
of the Indian lots 01 West Hill. His son, Absolom Gregg,

STOCKBRIDGE. 743

subsequently settled on the Mary Doxtater farm, at the foot
of the hill on the west side of Oneida Valley, This farm
was famous for having on it "Council Spring," where the
Indians used to meet in open and secret conclave. David
Gregg, a son of Absalom, lives on the farm, and near his
barn the old spring can yet be seen. Absalom Gregg died
here July 3, 1871, aged seventy-two years. He was a man
extensively known in business circles all through this region.
He was for several years an active Director in the Oneida
Valley National Bank.

Taylor Gregg, also from Augusta, a cousin of the above,
settled on the hill east of Munnsville. The old Indian
council ground was situated on his farm, and from here
Council Rock was removed in 1846. The sons of Taylor
Gregg have been prominent citizens of Stockbridge.

The Greggs were originally a noted family who came to
America in 17 19, when more than one hundred families
from the north of Ireland emigrated and settled in the town
of Londonderry, New Hampshire. This company intro-
duced the foot spinning wheel, the manufacture of linen and
the culture of potatoes. From these Greggs originated all
the Greggs of this country, some of them coming trom Lon-
donderry to Stockbridge. Major Samuel Gregg, of Revo-
lutionary fame, was grandfather of John Gregg, the above
named early settler of Stockbridge.

The family have preserved their "Coat-of-Arms," which
is handed down from generation to generation. Its origin
dates back to a period coeval with Robert Bruce, their fore-
fathers being Scotch. The name was then spelled Gragg.

Abner Warren, son of John Warren, came from Augusta,
Oneida Co., to Stockbridge West Hill in 18 16, then a youth
of 17 years. Under an arrangement effected by the father,
the farm now owned by Abner Warren was leased of the
Indians, he paying for the "betterments" made by the
former occupant, and in addition, $60 on the 100 acres for
a three years' lease. Afterwards he leased the same land at

744 MADISON COUNTY.

$30 per year, till the State purchased the tract upon which
it is situated, of the Indians, when he purchased it of the
State. The " betterments " consisted of four acres cleared
land, which was all the clearing made when the family of
John Warren came upon the place. By degrees the father
and son cleared and developed one of the handsomest farms
in Stockbridge. The old log house, occupied by the family
for many years, stood a few rods north of Abner Warren's
present residence, which the latter built in 183 1, having
previously come into possession of the farm. In this house
John Warren and his wife died many years ago, he, at an
advanced age. Abner Warren, now 73 years of age, has
lived in the same home since he was 17. His beautiful
location, from which he has a splendid view of the Oneida
creek valley far to the north, and of an immense range of
country reaching into Oneida and Lewis counties, has
always pleased him. In 1825, fifty acres were added to the
original homestead, which now consists of 135 acres.

Abner Warren married Miss Polly Percival, a daughter
of Roswell Percival who came from Vermont, and was a
later settler in Stockbridge. We remark here that the
Percivals of Stockbridge, are of the same family of the late
poet of that name.

Abner Warren has long been a prominent citizen of
Stockbridge, esteemed for his candor and practical judg-
ment as well as for his abilities in matters of public interest.
Rev. O. H. Warren, of the M. E. Conference, now (1872)
pastor of Baldwinsville Church, and L. N. Warren, one of
the useful and influential citizens of Stockbridge are his
sons. (Note ^.)

David Dunham, one of the first itinerant ministers of
the new settlement, came with his father from one of the
eastern States, to Westmoreland, and from there to this
town to live. In that day Methodist ministers traversed
large circuits, and that which was in Mr. Dunham's care,
was a four weeks' circuit. David Dunham died about 1852,

STC C'<BRIDGE. 745

aged -jj years. His daughter Mary, wife of William Nelson,
of Bennett's Corners, has in her possession the bible he
carried on his journeys for thirty years, It was printed in
the old style ty^^e, and is remarkably well preserved.

Thomas Rockwell settled on East Hill in 1813. He
bought the " betterments " of a previous settler, and pur-
chased the land of the State for seven dollars per acre.
His was one of the earliest settled farms of this section.
On this farm was situated the Council Rock, this being
what was known as " Primes Hill." Fifty acres of this
farm which included the Council ground, was obtained by
a subsequent settler, and Mr. Rockwell lost it. Thomas
Rockwell resided on his farm till his death at the age of
61 years. Two sons, substantial citizens and farmers, are
yet living in this vicinity — Hiram and T. B. Rockwell.
The name of Rockwell, occurs frequently in town and
county official matters.

One of the first purchasers who settled, and cleared
a farm, upon the Indian lands in the east part of the town
was Stephen Hart, whose father was one of the early set-
tlers of Augusta. Stephen was, in some respects, one of
the most remarkable men of his day. Nature had endowed
him most bountifully with the rougher elements essential to
pioneer life — vast physical strength, sound health, great en-
durance, an unconquerable love for hunting, and wonderful
skill as a marksman. Our informant who knew him well
forty years ago, describes him as having been five feet six
inches in height, deep chested, singularly sound in body
and limb, and muscles as hard as iron. His weight was
over two hundred pounds. We give an illustration oi his
superiority with the rifle : — On one occasion he presented
himself at a " turkey shoot" in a neighboring town, and
joined in the sport. The turkeys were tied to a stool thirty
rods distant from the shooters. When he arrived, fifty
shots had been fired and not a feather ruffled. The dozen
men who had been trying their skill ceased their efforts.

746 MADISON COUNTY.

Hart took the position prescribed in the rules, raised his
rifle to his face, and holding it at arm's length, fired. The
turkey swung from the stool, dead. Another was put up,
and at his next shot, met the same fate. Then another,
and another was put up, and as summarily dispatched, till six
good fat turkeys were piled at his feet, the trophies of just
so many shots in succession. The peals of laughter, and
the loud calls on the owner by the crowd to " bring on
your turkeys!" totally failed to produce them. He flatly
refused to allow him a single shot more.

When the forests were cleared away, and population be-
gan to thicken around him, he said it was " getting too
thickly settled and game too scarce." He sold his farm,
and with his family went to Michigan, into a section be-
yond the abodes of white men, and there built himself a
new home. Fifteen years later, when that spot was too pop-
ulous, he sold, and like the true frontiersman, fled from civili-
zation to the wilds of northern Iowa, where he thought
imigration would not reach in his day. In ten years, how-
ever, he was again hemmed in " with the hum, the busy
shock of men," but he had become an old man. Though
paid the compliment of being elected the first Judge of his
county, he refused to serve, and after his retirement, he at
last met with an accident resulting in the amputation of an
arm, from which he never recovered. He died in this last
named western home in 1866.

Cook's Corners is a station on the Midland. It con-
tains a church, a plaster mill, a grist mill, cheese factory, and
fifteen or twenty houses. The church was the old Indian
meeting house built by Mr. Sergeant, now belonging to
the Baptist society. The plaster works and grist mill are
owned by A. B. Smith, Esq. The first grist and saw mills
of the town were built by the Stockbridge Indians about
1794, nearly on the site of the present grist mill. There
was once a tavern here built by Cook from whom the place
was named.

STOCKBRIDGE. 74/

MUNNSVILLE.

The first frame house in this place was built by Jacob
Konkerpot, an Indian, Before he finished his house, he
cut his limb with a broad ax, and died from loss of blood.
A white family purchased the house, finished it and moved
in. It stood on the very pleasant location of the residence
of Ephraim K. Gregg.

This village lies near the Midland railroad and has a depot
here. It was named from Asa Munn, who came from
Augusta about 1815. Assisted by W. H. Chandler of
Augusta, Mr. Munn built up the mercantile business in this
section. The store he built is that in which Frost & Lilli-
bridge now trade. He built the dwelling connected with
the store also. Eventually the whole premises passed into
the hands of Mr. Chandler. It is now owned by William
Sumner, by whom the store is rented to Frost & Lillibridge.

Three Parmalee brothers, Sheldon, Horace and Solomon,
built the grist mill. Horace also kept tavern at Stockbridge.
While the grist mill was being built, a Mr. Doolittle, resident
of this place, fell from the top of the building and was in-
stantly killed

Barney Cook built the tavern at Munnsville about 1825.
It has been enlarged, improved, and fitted up in a style to
meet the requirements of the present period. Where the
grocery store is now, Oscar Bird used to keep tavern about

1835.

Robert Turner first started a small woolen factory where
the present cheese factory is. This was burned down, when
he again built on the site of the present factory. Mr.
Turner was again unfortunate in losing his mill by fire.
Blakeman & Whedon built on the same site the present
Munnsville woolen factory. A large amount of goods were
made here for a time. During the war, Broadhead made
army goods in this mill. It has since run irregularly, and
at present is not in operation. Several dwelling houses,
and a boarding house belong to the premises, and when in
operation, about forty hands were employed.

748 MADISON COUNTY.

Half a mile west of the village Asa Munn built a distillery
about 1825.

Stringer, Barr & Co.'s Agricultural Wotks are located in
this village. • Their buildings were first made for a scythe
factory, by Asa Runnels, about forty years ago. It was
afterwards run by Daniel Holmes, (now of Fort Atkinson,
Wis.,) who made axes and other edge tools till about 1850.
Holmes, Stringer & Co. (S. Van Brocklyn, now of Rome,
was one of this Company,) after that period went into the
manufacture of agricultural implements. About 1858 Van
Brocklyn went out of the firm, and in 1863 Holmes removed.
The firm continued under the co-partnership of William
Stringer & R. S. Barr. It is now operated under the firm
name of Stringer, Barr & Co. The company run a saw mill,
machine shop, foundry, and a mill for planing and matching.
Every variety of first quality agricultural implements are
made here, besides a great variety of castings, &c.

TJie Stockbridge Academy was founded by Asa Munn and
Thaddeus Muzzy, the school commencing in 1829. It was
taught by Rev. D. M. Smith, in 1832. The school was at-
tended with flattering success for a time. It was located on
the west side of the village, on the rise above the meeting
house. The building was taken down a few years after the
decline of the school.

KNOXVILLE.

This village, known also as Stockbridge, is a pleasant lit-
tle village, lying mostly on the west side of the Oneida val-
ley. It was named from Herman Knox, who came to this
valley about 1822, and built up the mercantile business at
this point. Herman Knox was from Augusta, where him-
self and brother, John J. Knox, had been engaged in the
mercantile business, the latter being the founder of Knox-
boro of Augusta.

Herman Knox bought much land for sale in the Oneida
Valley, and built up the village. He first put up a small
store and then encouraged enterprise by selling out village

STOCKBRIDGE. y^g

lots, giving his purchasers most generous opportunities, often
to his own disadvantage and loss. He built a grist mill on
the site of the present one ; built the first store, which is
still standing, and, being converted into a dwelling house, is
now the residence of Mrs. Lyman G. Sloan. He also built
a saw mill and a distillery. During Mr. Knox's stay of
about a dozen years, the village grew to nearly its present
size.

David Wood came into Knoxville about 1825, and pur-
chased part of Mr. Knox's store. The latter, after a time,
sold out his interest in the store to Mr. Wood, and built an-
other, which is the present store of Amideus Hinman. Mr.
Wood subsequently bought that, and finally purchased all
of the Knox property here, and Mr. Knox moved to one of
the Western States.

Herman Knox was regarded with great respect and affec-
tion by the inhabitants. He had a generous and noble
heart. He was the life of business in this part of the val-
ley ; but his generosity exceeded his desire to accumulate.

The tavern of Knoxville was built by Horace Parmalee,
abcut 1830. There have been three churches built at Knox-
ville, the Universalist, Congregational and Methodist.

The Midland depot is a short distance east of the village.

Five Chimneys is a tavern on the Peterboro and Oneida
Turnpike in the northern part of Stockbridge. It stands
at the foot of West Hill. It was originated by Charles (.^)
Leland who came from Wooster County, Mass. to this place
in 1826. He was enamored with the beauty of this valley,
and belived that if enterprise could be brought to bear at
this point, a village could be easily built up. He com-
menced the project by building his famous tavern with its
five stacks of great brick chimneys, that year. He also
built a small store and bought a stock of goods. He, how-
ever, soon failed and then went to Oneida Castle, where he
again went into business, and again failed. He next re-
moved into one of the Western States where he again built a

750 MADISON COUNTY.

tavern, and was successful, and where he died. "Five Chim-
neys" is now an old weather beaten house, rather dilapidated,
and wearing an air of grandeur in decay.

CHURCHES.

The Church at Cooks Corners was built in 1796 by Rev.
John Sergeant, for an Indian meeting house. When the
Stockbridges moved away it was used by various religious
societies. Subsequently the Baptist society obtained the
house, and for several years it has been used for their place
of worship. Rev. Mr. Bainbridge was an early minister of
this society.

TJie Methodist Episcopal ChurcJi of Knoxville was organ-
ized as a class about 1830. The church was built in 1832,
Herman Knox being prime mover in the enterprise, donat-
ing largely for the purpose. Meetings were held by circuit
preachers for some years. Henry Halstead was first pastor.
There were nine or ten classes on this charge for many
years. The church edifice has been enlarged once since
it was, built. It willl seat an audience of about five hun-
dred, and is neatly finished and furnished.

The Presbyterian Church of Mtuinsville was organized in
1829 at the house of David Goodrich. The society was
soon quite numerous. Rev. D. Smith was pastor in 1832.
Meetings were first held in the Academy. The meeting
house was built about 1833.

The Uuiversalist Church of Stockbridge was built about
1834. First meetings of this denomination were held by
Rev. Mr. Wooley during two or three years previous to the
building of the church. Rev. D. S. Morey waS first regu-
lar pastor, who organized the society. Pastors who have
served in this church are Revs. John Potter, Mr. Cargill,
Robert Oueal, Hughes and Manly. Rev. A. H. Marshall,
of Madison, is the present pastor.

There was a Congregational Church built at Stockbridge
about 1834, which was a fine, well finished building for its
day. It stood on the lot next west of the tavern. _

APPENDIX.

N'ote a. — Abram Antone was born in the year 1750, on the
banks of the Susquehanna. His father was an Indian of the
Stockbridge tribe — his mother, the daughter of an Oneida chief*
When quite young his parents removed to the county of Che-
nango, where for the most part he has since lived.

Bold and adventurous, having been bred in the true spirit of
his savage ancestors, he took up arms in favor of the Americans
in the year 1776. It has been asserted that he was a British
Indian, which he altogether denied. " I was," said he, " in three
battles. I fought for the Americans, and fought bravely." On
being asked how many of the enemy he had slain, " More than
that," he replied, holding up both hands with the fingers spread,
and then added that he could not tell exactly how many,
" because," he said " though I often pointed my rifle, yet on
account of much smoke, I could not always tell whether I had
killed or not." He asserted that he had once been employed
by Gov. George Clinton on a secret mission, and observed that
he was a great friend to him. If this is true, it shows him to
have been perfectly trustworthy, even if bloodthirsty and re-
vengeful.

The first murder of his which was well attested and to which
he assented, was committed at Chenango Point about 1798.
The Indian whose duty it was to distribute the government
allowance to the different tribes, defrauded, or was believed by
Antone, to have defrauded him of some part of the money. He
consequently declared his intention to kill him, which he effected
in the following way : At the raising of an Indian house near
the Point, Antone, as usual on such occasions, was present.

* It is said he descended, by way of his mother (through which line all Indian
genealogy is traced), from " Thick-Neck," a savage chief who held dominion in
Chenango, and who ruled the Indian village at Oxford many generations ago.
Thick-Neck was subdued by the Oneidas, and the remnant left of his tribe were
adopted into the Oneida family.

752 APPENDIX.

The Indian whom he had threatened was also present, though
not without the precaution of being armed. Antone did not
assist much, but sat on a piece of timber within the frame. He
continued sitting there, till the house was raised, and the people
assembled together to the number of fifty, for the purpose of
drinking, when Antone suddenly taking aim, fulfilled his prom-
ise by shooting the Indian directly through the heart. He
then arose and walked deliberately off. The Indians buried the
body and here the matter ended, Antone paying a sum of money
to the tribe for a ransom. But the most atrocious deed of all,
is one at which humanity starts with horror — a crime at which
nature revolts, and which is almost without parallel — the murder
of an infant child, and that child his own ! The circumstances
of this event are almost too horrible to relate. It appears from
the account of his wife, that returning from an assembly of In-
dians one evening to his wigwam, he found his little infant of
four or five months old vociferously crying. Impatient at the
noise, the monster snatched the child from its mother's arms,
and raking open a hot bed of coals, buried the infant beneath
them. It might be hoped for the honor of humanity that this
account were not true, but the fact was allowed by his wife, and
well attested by others, so that no doubt can remain as to the
truth of it.*

•'To look at the old warrior," writes his historian, "one would
scarcely suppose he could be guilty of so enormous a crime. He
has a noble countenance in which there is not the least expres-
sion of malice. On the contrary there is something placable
and bordering on serenity in his features. His eye is pene-
trating but yet expresses no cruelty. His voice is somewhat
broken by age, but pleasant and sonorous. In short, no one has
Sien him, but has gone away with a more favorable impression
than when he came."

The next thing of any consequence which occurs in his life is
his removal to Canada. This appears to have been ten or
twelve years before his death. While residing in that country,
i 1 a removal from one encampment to another, he was overtaken
by a company of men on horseback, one of whom insulted the
squaws in Antone's company. On his resenting it the other
struck him with his whip calling him an Indian dog, and rode off
with his companions, laughing at the Indian's threats of ven-
geance, which would probably have been executed on the spot
hid not the offender been surrounded by a number of well-mounted
civaliers. The indignant warrior left his friends to seek their
encampment alone. Armed only with his knife he determined
to follow his enemy till an opportunity should occur ofdispatch-

. a0n..m. ■ «»— . ^ ■ —

* Liquor was, no doubt, the cause of his frenzied madness in this instance.

APPENDIX. 753

ing him. For many days he pursued the travelers without suc-
cess, closely dogging them. Grown desperate he at length de-
termined on a bold step. Disguising himself by painting his face
warrior fashion, he entered a public house where the horsemen
had put up. He was not recognized. Gaining the favor of the
landlord by his peaceful demeanor, he was permitted to lodge
before the fire. The observing eye of the Indian had noticed
where the bed room of the doomed man was situated. He arose
in the night and with a noiseless step, entered the room and find-
ing where he lay, struck him on the left side ; the blow needed
not repeatal ; and the groan of the victim was lost in the exulting
yell of the savage, who burst from the house before the family,
terrified by the demoniac whoop, could oppose him. The par-
ticulars of this murder were received from a civilized Indian of
the Stockbridge tribe, who probably heard them from Antone
himself. Antone confessed to the murder of a white man in
Canada.

The next occurrence in order was the murder for which he was
indicted. It will be necessary, however, to briefly mention a
few events which took place previous to it. In 1810, Mary, the
daughter of Antone,* formed a connection with a young Indian,
it is said, of the Stockbridge tribe ; however, the connection was
soon broken off, and the young man left her for one more agree-
able. This so enraged Mary that she determined to kill her
rival, which she effected by stabbing her with an Indian knife.f
When arrested and on her way to prison she manifested a re-
markable indifference as to her fate, justifying herselt concern-
ing the murder of the squaw, by saying that ''''she had got away her
Indian and deserved to die." She was executed in Peterboro, in
this county. John Jacobs had been the principal evidence
against her. He had also been very active in her arrest. In
short, he was considered by Antone as the principal cause of
her death, and before and after her execution, he openly threat-
ened to kill him. Jacobs (who was also an Indian, or half-
breed,) left the country and did not return till Antone sent him
word that he would not molest him. Relying upon Antone's
promise, he returned and engaged in his usual avocations. He
was hoeing corn in afield with a number of men, when Antone
came up in a friendly way, shaking hands with each one, and
while grasping the hand of Jacobs in apparent friendship, slipt
a long knife from out the frock sleeve of his left arm, pronounc-
ing, "How d'ye do, brother ?" and quick as lightning plunged it
into the body of Jacobs, striking him three times under the

*Mary Antone was a handsome, bright Indian girl, yet, having much of hei
father's revengeful disposition.

•j-This occurred in Middleport, on the Chenango, south of Hamilton village.

V2

754

APPENDIX.

short ribs. He fell at the first blow. Antone, giving a terrific
yell, bounded ofi" before anyone had recovered presence of mind
sufficient to pursue him. That night he was pursued by a num-
ber of Indians and was surprised in his hiding-place, but by his
fleetness he escaped. He went constantly armed with a rifle
and knives, accompanied by dogs, and his sons daily ministered
to his needs while concealed in the forest. He was often sur-
prised by officers in pursuit of him, but he managed to escape.

There was an attempt to take him while encamped on a Mr.
John Guthrie's land, in the town of Sherburne. Two large and
resolute Indians having obtained information that Antone was
alone in his camp, went with the full determination of securing
him. They went to his wigwam and discovered him alone,
making a broom ; but the ever-watchful Indian, hearing a rust-
ling noise, seized his rifle, and, as they suddenly entered, point-
ing at the foremost, declared if he advanced a step further he
would shoot him dead. His determined manner appalled the
pursuers, and after parleying with him a short time, they with-
drew, very much mortified at the result of their enterprise.
Antone grimly smiled as they turned away, for his trusty rifle
was not loaded, a circumstance of which he frequently boasted
afterwards. He at length grew so bold and fearless that he
marched through our towns and villages in open day, without
any fear of being taken. It is said that in the village of Sher-
burne he entered a store in which there were about twenty men,
and drank till he was intoxicated.

Antone was finally betrayed into the hands of a posse of
officers, by a man who won his confidence by professions of
friendship. He decoyed him by getting him out of his cabin to
have a trial with him in shooting at a mark. As soon as
Antone had discharged his piece, the officers, who were sta-
tioned in secret a few steps away, rushed upon and secured him,
though not without a desperate struggle, for the old veteran
fought manfully, exhibiting exceeding strength and agility, and
was considerably bruised in the conflict.

During Antone's confinement several pious people endeavored
to explain to him the principles of the Christian religion. But
he either could not or would not understand them. He had no
idea of a Saviour. He mentioned through the interpreter that
he put his trust in God, or more properly the Great Spirit. He
was then asked if it was the God of the Christian, or the spirit
which was worshiped by his fathers. The eye of the warrior
sparkled as he readily replied, " The God of my Fathers ! "

Until toward the last he nourished a hope of being reprieved,
but when this hope failed he expressed a willingness to die, and
only complained of the manner ; the mode of execution he re-
garded as degrading. " No good way !" he said, putting his

APPENDIX.

755

hands about his neck. " No good way to hang like a doo- !"
then, pointing to his heart, observed that he should be wilHno-
to be shot. He was, moreover, very anxious about his body^
fearing it would be obtained for dissection. He made no
lengthy confession, but assented to having committed the mur-
ders herein related, and only these. Several other atrocious
murders had been attributed to him, which he utterly denied.

The jury in his case, according to the facts elicited by the
testimony, and agreeable to our laws, rendered a verdict of
" guilty," and according to his sentence he was executed in
Morrisville, on Friday, the 12th day of September, 1823. A larc^e
delegation of his own race were present. The execution was a
public one, and a great concourse of people witnessed it.

Note b. — Charles, Job, Naboth, Amos, Jonathan, Nathan,
Catharine, Sally, Lewis, Nancy, Mary, Polly, and Phebe Welch
were the names of the Welch family of the pioneers of Brook-
field.

Note c. — Death of Ledyard Lincklaen — In Cazenovia,
April 24th, 1864, Ledyard Lincklaen, Esq., in the 44th year of
his age. This sad announcement will awaken feelings in this
community and elsewhere which are seldom so stirred by an
obituary notice. Mr. Lincklaen was an extraordinary man, and
his loss a public one of no ordinary magnitude. But a few years
since he came forward endowed with a finished education, en-
larged by foreign travel, and possessing a mind peculiarly fitted
for the investigation of the popular branches of natural history,
in which he soon made such progress as to challenge the atten-
tion and acquire the respect of many of the foremost men of
science in that department. With ample leisure and means to
prosecute his favorite course of study and investigation, his
friends indulged the reasonable expectation that at the proper
time of life, and, indeed, much>-earlier than usually happens, he
was quite sure to take his place among the leading scientific
men of the land. But these fondly cherished hopes were doomed
to be crushed by the prostration of his hitherto vigorous health,
which commenced a few years since and has finally stricken
him down in the prime of life and in a manner almost if not en-
tirely inscrutable to the best medical minds of the country. But
what are the blighted prospects of public usefulness to the more
deadly blight with which this bereavement falls upon his family
connection, and a whole community of friends?

Mr. Lincklaen was born, and has always lived in this place ;
and it may be said with truth that he has lived an unblemished
life in all the relations of the family, the neighborhood and of

756 APPENDIX.

society. He was a rigidly just man, a strict consciencious man^
and a habitually kind and benevolent man. These leading
characteristics never bent to outward circumstances, and were
never influenced by considerations of a personal nature. Sel-
fishness formed no part of his character, and duty never was sur-
rendered to fear, favor or partiality. Sincerity, both of word and
action, was one of his marked characteristics, and so strong was
its influence that he never became what the world terms a po-
lite man, though his intercourse with others was always kind,
genial and inottensive, and his expressions heartfelt and friendly.
He despised everything which we denominate sham. It was
loathsome to his uprightness of disposition ; and much of what
is deemed policy in the business and intercourse of the world,
he looked upon with disgust. His habits of life were simple and
unostentatious, as befitting a refined, sincere, straightforward
man as he was, and his loss will be intensely felt by all classes of
our community, as well as by those to whom it is irreparable and
enduring. It would ill become the writer of this to speak of the
religious character of the deceased. Suffice is to say, that he
was a regular attendant at and a liberal supporter of the Epis-
copal church of this place, and is confidently regarded as a man
who did justice, loved mercy, and walked humbly before God. —
[From Cazenovia Republican, April 27, 1864.

JSfoted. — Lucy Button, o'r "Crazy Luce," as she was called, the
subject of a number of romantic love tales, lived in Cazenovia sev-
enty years ago. She was one of the daughters of an honest and
respectable farmer. She was "winningly rather than strikingly
beautiful. Under a manner observable for its seriousness, and
a nun-like serenity, were concealed an impassioned nature, and
a heart of the deepest capacity for loving. She was remarkable
from her earliest childhood for a voice of thrilling and haunt-
ing sweetness." So writes "Grace Greenwood," who further
tells us that Lucy's sister, Ellen, was a "brilliant born
beauty," petted and spoiled by her parents, and idolized by her
sister. Lucy possessed a fine intellect, and was far better edu-
cated than other girls of her station in the new country, there-
fore she left home about this period to take charge of a school
some twenty miles distant. There she was wooed and won by

a young man of excellent family, Edwin W , and her parents

gave their approval to the union.

It was decided that Lucy should come home to prepare for
her marriage, and that her sister should return to the school to
take charge of it for the remainder of the term. Lucy's lover
brought her home, and on his return went with him the hand-
some sister Ellen. He was a rather genteel young man, having

APPENDIX. 757

some pretentions to fashion, and quite satisfied Ellen's exacting
fancy. Utterly heartless as she was, she proceeded to deliber-
ately win his love, regardless of the destruction of the happiness
of her sister.

Unconscious of the proceedings being enacted in that distant
town, Lucv, with a happy heart, perfected the preparations for
her marriage, which was to take place in two months from the
time she came home. At length the wedding day arrived—
Lucy's nineteenth birthday— and Ellen and the bridegroom were
hourly expected. But the day wore away, and neither the bride-
groom, nor Ellen, the first bridesmaid, had appeared.

This episode in the sad story of her life is related affectingly
in Grace Greenwood's "Lucy Button," which has been generally
regarded as the correct version.

At evening the anxiously looked for couple arrived. The
manner of the bridegroom was somewhat agitated as he tossed
off a glass or two of wine, and when sufficiently stimulated for
the occasion, he announced that he was already married. Turn-
ing to Mr. and Mrs. Button he said, "I found I had never loved
until I knew your second daughter." Says Grace Greenwood :
"And Lucy ? She heard all with a strange calmness, then
walking steadily forward confronted her betrayers ! Terrible as
pale Nemesis herself, she stood before them, and her look pierced
like a keen, cold blade into their false hearts. As though to as-
sure herself of the dread reality of the vision, she laid her hand
on Ellen's shoulder, and let it glide down her arm— but she
touched not Edwin. As those cold fingers met hers, the unhap-
py wife first gazed full into her sister's face, the dilated nostrils,
the quivering lip and the intensely mournful eyes, she covered
her own face with her hands and burst into tears, while the
voung husband, awed by the terrible silence of her he had
wroncred, gasped for breath, and staggered back against the wall.
Then" Lucy, clasped her hands on her forehead, first gave voice
to her ano-uish and despair in one fearful cry, which could but
ring forever through the souls of the guilty pair, and fell m a
death-like swoon at their feet."

On awaking from this swoon her friends found that she was
hopelessly insane. Her madness was of a mild nature, but she
seemed possessed by the spirit of unrest. She would not be
confined, and though her parents while they lived, in some meas-
ure controlled this sad propensity, on their death she became a
hopeless wanderer, and constantly traversed the whole area ot
Madison county and those adjoining. One informant states
that Lucy in 1812, appeared then to be about thirty or thirty-
five years of age. Though faded and worn, and sometimes
racraed the marks of beauty lingered about her features and
person She was of scarcely medium height, straight, with

758 APPENDIX,

handsome rounded form, which expressed considerable ease and
grace in her carriage and movements. Her naturally fair and
soft complexion was browned by much exposure, for poor Lucy
was always on the tramp. A handsome mouth, lips neither thin
nor too full, a delicate Grecian nose, sad-looking hazel eyes, a
forehead neither very high nor too low — a perfect feminine fore-
head, we should judge — formed a face pleasing to look upon, but
sadly interesting because of the deeply-troubled expression
always there, overshadowing the light of reason. At all times,
whether in action or repose, her soft voice gave vent to a low
mournful sound — intonations, between the moaning of deep
trouble and the audible sighs of abject weariness, or something
resembling the moaning of a child in a troubled dream.

Grace Greenwood says : " Her appearance was very singular.
Her gown was always patched with many colors, and her shawl
or mantle worn and torn, until it was all open work and fringe.
The remainder of her miserable wardrobe she carried in a bun-
dle on her arm, and sometimes she had a number of parcels of
old rags, dried herbs, &c.

" In the season of flowers her tattered bonnet was profusely
decorated with those which she gathered in the woods, or by the
way-side. Her love for these and her sweet voice were all that
was left her of the bloom and music of existence. Yet no, —
her meek and child-like piety still lingered. Her God had not
forsaken her. Down into the dim chaos of her spirit, the smile
of His love yet gleamed faintly — in the waste garden of her
heart she still heard His voice at eventide, and she was not
'afraid.' Her Bible went with her everywhere."

She had a great repugnance to the society of men, and would
climb fences in the most tedious wintry weather to avoid meet-
ing them. Her friends, knowing this peculiarity, humored her
— the men by never appearing to notice her, when in her
presence.

After wandering thirty years, Lucy Button was taken suddenly
ill, and was moved to one of her old friends to die. A few
hours before dissolution, reason returned, — she awoke, as it were,
from a long nightmare. Supposing she had been asleep, she re-
lated to her attendant her terrible dream. It was soon revealed
to her that her dream had been the sad reality of her life ; that
she was now old and dying. With a few old friends around her,
the services of the Christian religion were administered by a
servant of Christ in a manner peculiarly tender and sacred, be-
fitting the occasion, and her lips, which at first joined in prayer,
grew still. The prayer began on earth ended in a song of praise,
over the other side of the dark valley.

Notee. — An extract from the Leland Magazine, published 1850,

APPENDIX. 759

says : — "Amasa Leland, Ezra Leland, Isaac Leland, Orrison Le-
land and Uriah Leland, children of Joshua Leland, were born
in Sherburne, Mass., and removed with their parents in 1794,
from Sherburne to Madison Co., N. Y. His other five children,
Phebe, Sylvia, Juliette, Yale and Joshua, were born in Madison
County, near Morrisville. Amasa Leland settled in Madison ;
was an industrious farmer and a pious member of the Baptist
Church. Ezra has for many years lived near Morrisville and
has held several responsible municipal offices. He is a farmer,
a professor of religion and deacon in the Baptist Church. Orri-
son Leland several years ago settled in Northfield, near Ann Ar-
bor, in the county of Washtenaw, Michigan. He is a respecta-
ble farmer and a pious christian. Uriah Leland is now living
{1850) in Morrisville, N. Y., where he has hitherto resided dur-
ing his youth and manhood. He was in the active military ser-
vice of his country at Sackett's Harbor as a subaltern officer for
a short period of time, during the war with Great Britain, and
since that time he has passed through all the grades of military
promotion from a Cornet to a Colonel in the horse artillery of
the State troops of New York. He has also for many years
holden several responsible municipal offices in the town of Mor-
risville, and for the year 1839 he was a member of the Legisla-
tive Assembly of New York, for the County of Madison. Sylvia
was married in 1823 to James Howard, of Madison, and since
that time has resided with her husband in Madison, N. Y. Yale
has always lived in Madison, He is a millwright of considera-
ble note. He has holden the offices of Colonel in the militia
and County Supervisor. He is a professor of religion and holds
the office of class-leader in the Methodist Church. Joshua is an
intelligent farmer, settled in Washtenaw County, Mich., where
he has resided for many years. He is an active and^ useful citi-
zen and a pious christian. He has holden the office of Magis-
trate for several years, and for the years 1844 and '46 he was
member of the Legislature of Michigan."

Uriah, Amasa and Sylvia, the authoress learns, have passed
away since the above family record was written.

Note f. — The Tayntors of this town are of the fifth and sixth
generation from the Joseph Tayntor who embarked from Eng-
land, April 24, 1638, and settled in Watertown, Mass. They
were a race of patriots and of pious men and women. There
were Captains, Lieutenants, Doctors, Deacons and Ministers.
To the work of the church they seemed to have been especially
devoted, as all along down their line of ancestry and branches,
during two hundred and thirty-three years, are scattered numer-
ous ministers, deacons, and other prominent churchmen.

The Joseph Tayntor who came to Lebanon in 1808, was born

76o

APPENDIX.

in Worcester, Mass. in 1774. In 1795 he married Miss Abi-
gail Fuller, a descendant of another ancient and prominent fam-
ily of New England, and after some thirteen years came on to
Madison County. Here, in the dreariness of winter and in the
solitude of an extended wilderness, he gathered his little family
around the parental fireside, sheltered from the bleak winds by
a rudely constructed log cabin built from the timber that grew
on the ground where it stood ; and on this very spot, endeared
by various and numberless associations, he lived full forty years.
Five sons and daughters represented Joseph Tayntor's fam-
ily, who filled positions of usefulness in the town of Eatoti,
County of Madison. These sons were Joseph Tayntor who be-
came a Baptist Deacon and who adorned his position by a con-
sistent life ; he was also a substantial farmer and useful citizen,
in many respects ; Rev. Orsamus Tayntor, a Baptist clergyman,
who is still living in West Eaton ; Cyrus Tayntor, who resided
many years in Eaton, a man respected wherever he lives; and Ira
B. Tayntor, a man of influence and position who has been Su-
perintendent of Schools, and has held other municipal offices in
town and county. There are other worthy families of Tayntors
in this town, who are from the same progenitors.

Noteg. — Three families of Morse came to Eaton from Sher-"/
burne, Mass. They were Benjamin, Joseph and Hezekiah Morse,
of the sixth generation from Samuel Morse, who was born in Eng-
land in 1585, emigrated to New England and settled in Dedham in
1637. From Joseph Morse, son of Samuel, the pioneers of Eaton
descended. The race is marked for there being among its mem-
bers prominent pioneers of noted localities. Joseph Morse was
proprietor of the "Medfield Grant," which formed the town of
Medfield, Mass. His son, Capt. Joseph Morse, was an exten-
sive land-holder in Bogistow, where he settled in 1670, and who
married Mehitable Wood, the daughter of Nicholas Wood, the
founder of Sherburne, Mass.

Capt. David Morse, a son of Capt. Joseph, was one of the
first white settlers of Natick, about 1727. He was empowered
by the General Court to call the first parish or town meeting.
He was a master spirit among whites and Indians. His son,
Maj. Joseph Morse, (fifth generation) was a patriot in the Rev-
olution. His three sons were the pioneers of Eaton.

Benjamin Morse married Deborah Sawin, and with four chil-
dren removed from Sherburne to Eaton in 1795. The only one
of his family now living, is Julia, wife of Sylvester Macomber, of
Hamilton ; but other descendants live in Michigan and other
Western States.

Joseph Morse married Eunice Bigelow, and with four children

APPENDIX. 761

removed to Eaton in 1796. After their removal four more chil-
dren were born. Joseph Morse was the founder of Eaton vil-
lage, and his sons have been identified with nearly all of its
business interests. These sons may be named as follows : Ellis,
whose biographical sketch appears in the chapter relating to Ea-
ton ; Joseph, who .removed to Pennsylvania and was there sev-
eral times returned to the Legislature of that State, and also be-
came Judge of his County Courts ; Calvin, who was elected
member of the Legislature from Madison County in 1842, and
has held municipal offices in town and county ; Alpheus, who
has been a merchant and scientific farmer, and for many years
past, manufacturer, being proprietor of the Alderbrook Woolen
mill ; and Bigelow, who was a respected citizen of Fabius, On-
ondaga County. Eunice, the eldest daughter of Joseph Morse,
married Dr. James Pratt, the pioneer physician of Eaton. After
her husband's death, she with her family removed and began
pioneer life again in Palmyra, Mo. She was a woman of indom-
itable will and great energy of character.

The descendants of Joseph Morse have, many of them, dis-
tinguished themselves in various positions. Gen. Henry B.
Morse entered the late war as Captain of the 114th Reg. N. Y.
v., was promoted to the office of Colonel, and subsequently, for
meritorious services, was breveted Brigadier-General in the army
of the southwest. He is grandson of Joseph Morse ; as also is the
Rev. Andrew Morse, of Warsaw, Wyoming County. Gardner
Morse, who was member of the Legislature in 1866, Walter, a
member of the manufacturing firm of Wood, Tabor ^^ Morse,
George E., a prominent citizen of Rochester, and Alfred, who
bravely gave his life for the Union cause at the battle of Win-
chester, Va.; all these being sons of Ellis Morse. Darwin and
Frank B. Morse, merchants at Eaton village, sons of Bigelow,
are grandsons of Joseph Morse. Two grand-daughters, Belinda
and Eliza, daughters of Calvin, have been conspicuous as teach-
ers, the latter being now assistant Principal of Vassar Female
College.

Hezekiah Morse, the third of the pioneer brothers, came
to Eaton in 1806. His children are scattered and many of them
dead. One of his sons. Alpha, was for many years a prominent
manufacturer of Eaton. Another son, Elijah, who is now dead,
was a wealthy farmer of Eaton. A grand-daughter is wife of
Rev. John Raymond, President of Vassar Female College,
Poughkeepsie, N. Y. Albert H. \forse, a prominent citizen of
Eaton is also a grandson, being son of Elijah. H. B. Morse,
youngest son of Hezekiah, is a scientific and successful farmer
of Norwich, N. Y.

Where the facts in the history of a family present such a re-
cord as the foregoing, it is evident that they have been men and

762 APPENDIX.

women eminently calculated by birth and training, to assume
the duties and responsibilities, and to bear the hardships of build-
ing up the new country, and to perpetuate the institutions of
civilized life. Hereditary physical strength and great mental
activity characterizes this family.

Note h. — The Darrow family are of Scotch descent, their
Scottish ancestor coming to this country sometime during the
sixteenth century, and settling in New London, Conn. The first
name of the genealogical record the author has been able to ob-
tain is that of Nathaniel Darrow, grandfather of David Darrow,
Esq., of West Eaton, who was born is 1696, and who married
Rachel Willey, a woman of English descent. He moved to
Norwalk where his son George Darrow was born in 1748. George
Darrow when a young man went to reside in New Lebanon, N.
Y., where he married Eunice Meacham, and where his family of
six children were born. One of these dying when a child, the
other four sons, Joseph, George, David and James, lived to be
heads of families of their own. One daughter made the sixth
child. Joseph and George took up large farms in Stow, Ohio,
whither their father and mother removed in 1806, and where their
father died. James joined the Shakers, where his mother, after
his father's death spent her declining years.

David, the third son of this family of George Darrow, became
one of the pioneers of West Eaton. His family are and have
been through the whole history of this village, prominent. The
sons and daughters of David Darrow were ten in number. The
daughters connected themselves with prominent and enterprising
families. The sons, Joseph, George, Frederic, David M., Wil-
liam I{. and J. J. Darrow, have been useful citizens in every re-
spect. Joseph was a long time successful merchant and a pro-
moter of religion and good morals ; George, whose unfortunate
and tragical death, which occurred in Buffalo, N. Y., was the
first who died among the sons of this family. He fell by a mur-
derous shot (while riding from his place of business in the city,
to his residence,) fired by some unknown assassin, who, it is be-
lieved, mistook him for some other person, as no cause for the
act could be ascertained. His body was brought to West Eaton
for interment, where the tragedy had cast a gloom over com-
munity. A very large concourse of friends followed his remains
to the grave. He was greatly respected for the many good qual-
ities of his head and heart. He was a Christian in the true
sense. At the time of his death he was one of the first business
men in Buffalo, and was a main pillar in the M. E. Church there.
David M. Darrow has been a long time Justice of the Peace at
West Eaton ; Frederick is a wealthy and enterprising farmer ;

APPENDIX. ^6^

Wm. H. Darrow is a wealthy farmer of Cazenovia ; J. J. Darrow
has been Justice of the Peace and Superintendent of Schools.
He is a successful farmer and public spirited citizen, prominent
in all matters pertaining to the advancement of religion and good
society.

Note i. — Emily C. Judson, or " Fanny Forrester." — This
gifted authoress was born August 22, 1817, in Alderbrook. She
was a daughter of Charles Chubbuck, one of the pioneers of
Eaton. Her parents were poor, hence her opportunities were
limited. As a family, however, literature was their forte. The
works of the best authors were brought ^with them from their
New Hampshire home, and in the absence of congenial society,
they found sweet solace in the companionship of Milton, Pope,
Shakspeare, Dryden, and other favorite authors.

Underhill Cottage was not the house of " Fanny Forrester's"
birth, that being the " weather-painted house at the top of the
hill," described in her " Alderbrook Tales," which long ago
disappeared, its location being a few rods from the Cottage.
Underhill was the home of her childhood and youth, her foster
birth-place, for here her mind first unfolded itself to the outer
world, and here her intellect and genius had its birth. The wild
country about this home seems to have bred the very atmosphere
of romance and poetry, which the susceptible organization of
Emily Chubbuck inhaled at her earliest breath.

Although not physically strong, yet the narrow circumstances
of their family compelled her to a life of labor while yet very
young. At the age of eleven years her parents removed to
Pratt's Hollow, where Emily spliced rolls in the factory. Her
delicate organization but illy sustained the hardships of that
weary summer, and aching feet, bleeding hands, and a sad heart
were trials of daily occurrence. Later she twisted thread for a
Scotch weaver and thread-maker in Morrisville ; and still later,
when yet in her early womanhood, she occupied a situation in a
milliner shop. In the meantime her heart was devotedly set
upon education. At intervals she attended the Academy, and
there studied French and Mathematics, evincing a remarkable
strength and penetration in the latter studies, surprising in an
organization so light and fragile, proving there was depth and
power to her mind as well as beauty and brilliancy.

In the spring of 1832, when but 15 years of age, Emily Chub-
buck, with a courageous heart, took into her hands the reins of
her own destiny. Cautiously she proceeded, measuring every
footstep, prudently assuring herself that she was right, and there-
fore moving on solid ground. With the ostensible purpose of
visiting friends, she left home one bright April morning and

7^4 APPENDIX.

tripped over the green fields, with the real intention of securing,
if possible, the privilege of teaching a district school. She first
repaired to the house of one of the trustees of the school district
of Nelson Corners, and, not a little fluttered, applied for the
school. The burly, blustering trustee did not seem to favor the
application of such a demure little body, whom he considered
would be no ruler over the boisterous, headstrong scholars of
their school, many of whom were larger and older than herself.
Her ardour was dampened, still she did not give up the object
of her pursuit, and while being entertained by her friends, she
made known to them the object of her wishes. They kindly
offered their assistance, and went with her to the other trustee,
introduced her to that good natured, smiling gentleman — the
antipode of his colleague — who was highly pleased with her ap-
pearance, and satisfied with her ability. He promised to inform
her in a few days if his associate should consent to hire her.
She \yent home with her heart full of doubt and hope, and kept
her trial a secret from her parents. Her mother was completely
surprised a few days after, when a stranger came there and en-
quired for Miss Emily Chubbuck, saying he had come to hire
her to teach their district school. It was soon explained, and
Ernily engaged to teach at seventy-five cents per week.

That summer's trial at teaching proved a successful one, and
subsequently for many years she spent her time alternately be-
tween teaching and pursuing her studies in the higher branches.

About 1840, Miss Chubbuck entered the Utica Female Semi-
nary, and there continued her studies and also taught composi-
tion. Here she wrote her first book, a small volume for chil-
dren, entitled "Charles Lynne, or How to Observe the Golden
Rule." The work met with success — fifteen hundred copies
were sold in eleven weeks. After this she contributed to the
"Lady's Book," "Knickerbocker's Magazine," and "Mother's
Journal." Although her writings were not always noticed, they
were in the main finally appreciated. After her name had at-
tained celebrity, editors drew forth from some oblivious corner,
neglected manuscripts, and now produced them for the benefit of
an appreciative public.

In 1844, a letter written, half in play, by herself, but signed
"Fanny Forrester," to N. P. Willis, then editor of the "New Mir-
ror," from which she did not expect any serious result, was the
means of bringing her before the public in a new and attractive
light ; and from this date commenced her successful literary ca-
reer under the 7io?n de plume of "Fanny Forrester." We shall
not further detail, but those who remember that period know
how with what wondering anxiety the question was asked
throughout the reading and literary world, "Who is Fanny For-
rester ?" The originality, purity, beauty and vivacity of her style

APPENDIX, 765

•

had not its precedent on the American Continent ; and yet — tell
it not in Gath ! - there are many of her native townspeople who
never knew that "Fanny Forrester" was the timid, sensitive,
shrinking factory girl, or the quiet, unassuming district school
teacher.

In 1846, she married the celebrated pioneer Missionary, Dr.
Adoniram Judson, and with him went to Birmah. She aided
her husband largely in his labors, and translated much in the
Eirnian language to aid the natives in their studies. Letters
from her hand, in Birmah, found thousands of anxious readers of
the journals on this side of the waters.

But at length a change came, and America read with sorrow
of the death of Adoniram Judson. The eastern miasma had
done its work. With a stricken heart and a body enfeebled by
disease, Mrs. Judson bade adieu to Maulmain, and, bearing her
precious charge, her child, in October, 185 1, again set foot on
her native shore. Her constitution was broken and swayed
with every breeze. She often expressed a wish to die when earth
was putting on her loveliest robes, and so it was. Surrounded
by the children of her husband, to whom she had been a true
niolher, with her own darling nestling beside her, she died on
the day previous to the anniversary of her marriage, in Hamil-
ton village, June i, 1854.

The published works of this gifted writer were quite numerous,
but among them all none was more widely read than her "Alder-
brook Tales." In American literature she entered a new chan-
nel, and opened a rich mine where subsequent writers have
dipped their pens to find them burnished with poetic fire.

Note j. — Mrs. Dr. Chase was the first lady physician estab-
lished in Madison County. She commenced practice in
Eaton in 1848. She encountered some opposition on account
of her sex, but, owing to her remarkable skill and success in dif-
ficult cases, she won public confidence and secured a large and
successful practice. She continued in practice from" 1848 to
1868, when sickness prostrated her. Mrs. Chase was a faithful
wife, and as a mother was tenderly beloved by a large family of
children. By a large circle of friends she was highly esteemed
as a gifted woman and worthy in every respect. She died March
1 2th," 1 869, aged 67 years.

j^jQft; ]i_ — "Hon. Daniel Darwin Pratt, the eldest son of
Dr. Daniel Pratt, of Perryville, was born in Palermo, Maine, in
iS 13, coming to this section with his parents in 1814. At the
earlv age of twelve he commenced preparing for College under
the tuition of Dr. Guernsey, of Fenner, which was continued at

']66 APPENDIX.

the Oneida Conference Seminary, at Cazenovia. He entered
Hamilton College under the Presidency of Dr. Davis before he
was fourteen and graduated with the highest honors of his class,
taking the valedictory, before he was eighteen. Hon. John Coch-
rane was his College mate, and Rev. A. C. Kendrick, of Roch-
ester University, was a class mate. At the age of eighteen he
delivered a Fourth of July oration in Perryville, which was pro-
nounced at the time to be one of the finest productions ever de-
livered in the County on such an occasion. He immediately
commenced the study of law in Cazenovia. In 1832, in com-
pany with Mr. Holmes, now (1871) of Bloomington, 111., he
started for the "great west" with less than $30 in his pocket. The
two young men went on the Canal to Buffalo, thence to Cleve-
land, where, finding a transportation wagon to Cincinnati, they
obtained conveyance for their trunks, and went on themselves to
that city on foot. There they endeavored to obtain situations as
students of law ; but the price of admission was too high for
their nearly exhausted purses, and they left on a boat for Law-
renceburg, Indiana. Here young Pratt obtained a small school
and remained one term, getting scarcely enough to pay his ex-
penses, when, fortunately, he was elected principal of Rising Sun
Academy, one of the most flourishing institutions of southeast
Indiana. He conducted this Academy successfully, and saved
money enough to go to Indianapolis and complete his law studies
in the office of Fletcher & Butler, leading members of the bar in
that city. In 1836 he located at Logansport, Ind., and commenced
practice, to which he devoted his undivided attention and estab-
lished a reputation of being one of the very best lawyer? in the
State. In 185 1 and again in '53 he represented his district in the
State Legislature, where his duties were arduous and his dis-
charge of them highly commended and appreciated. In i860 he
was selected as a delegate for the State at large to the National
Republican Convention at Chicago. Being a man of large and
prepossessing appearance, with a voice in proportion to his men-
tal as well-as physical proportions, he was selected from all the
men of high qualifications present, as reading clerk, and will be
remembered by the many thousands who assembled at that
great and important Convention. In 1868 he was nominated for
Congress in the Eighth Congressional District of his adopted
State, and abandoning all else devoted his whole energy and
power to the canvass, and by his eloquence and convincing argu-
ments added no little to the success of the Republican party; but
before the time arrived to take the seat he had been elected to fill,
the Legislature of his State chose him U. S. Senator. He is
now (1871) an active member of the Senate, and no Senator
does harder work or is more faithful to his trusts. He is a fin-
ished scholar, of high and refined mental culture ; possesses a

APPENDIX.

767

genial disposition, intermingled with a never-failing fund of hu-
mor, wit and sentiment combined, and is the life of the circle of
his professional friends and neighbors. Upright in his charac-
ter ; gentlemanly in his deportment ; unostentatious in manner ;
modest and retiring to a fault ; in short, possessing all the qual-
ities which should ever characterize a great and good man. He
has filled the position he occupies with honor to himself and credit
to the State and party who have chosen him, without even solic-
iting his consent.

Note I. — The Female Anti-Slavery Society of Hamilton
was formed in Hamilton in December, 1843, in the house of
John Foote. The object of this association was to lend its in-
fluence against slavery, raise means to contribute to the ad-
vancement of freedom by donations to Anti-Slavery agents,
ministers, or missionaries, and to the fugitives from bondage,
&c., &c. A constitution was formed and adopted by this body
of refined and intelligent women, who conducted their meetings
with president, secretary, treasurer and managers.

They raised funds by sewing societies and by subscriptions for
the cause, procured the best and most noted of the Anti-Slavery
lecturers to hold public meetings in Hamilton, and in some
cases adopted colored children, or otherwise provided for them
by finding them places to work, and having their schooling at-
tended to.

The membership of the society increased as the years wore
on ; their meetings were well attended, and conducted with
grave decorum. The exercises were of a religious and literary
character, always bearing on the question of slavery, and made
deeply interesting by the talent brought forward.

The association continued its meetings and labors until the
close of the civil war, when their labors were no longer re-
quired.

Note m. — Angel De Ferriere was born at Niort, Depart-
ment Des Deux Sevres, France, in the year 1769. His youth
was passed under the reign of Louis XVI., a period character-
ized by turbulence, revolution, and finally the downfall of the
empire'. The ancient families of the empire strove to maintain
their beloved king, and when he fell, the whole nobility of the
realm were involved in the general ruin. Death, imprisonment,
or banishment awaited those who did not flee the vengeance of
the furious revolutionists.

The De Ferriere family belonged to the ancient nobility,
whose representative was Mons. Chevalier Edward Brieard, the
last French Governor of Canada. Truly loyal to the fortunes

768 APPENDIX

of their king, they, fell with him, and their estates in the city of
Alnay were confiscated, and the family hurried into exile.

Angel De Ferrier, at an early age, had been sent to the
Military School at Brien, where Napoleon Bonaparte was edu-
cated, and when not twenty-one attained to the promotion of
colonel in the King's Life Guards. In an attack made upon the
palace in August, 1792, the king's body-guard were driven to
use arms in a fruitless attempt at defense, for they found them-
selves unequal to the fury of a Parisian mob. They were com-
pelled to witness the most cruel treatment of their king and
queen, and to be unable to rescue them from violence and im-
prisonment, and were forced, in self preservation, to flee from
the vengeance of a continually increasing and formidable fac-
tion which swelled the mob, and was hurrying to prison or the
guillotine every member of the nobility whom they could seize.
Few of the king's body-guard escaped, but among the fortunate
ones was Col. De Ferriere, and a companion in arms, a young no-
ble, who fled to Holland, where, their families being known, they
found friends. Even here they were not safe, for the spies of the
revolutionists swarmed throughout the adjacent countries.

During their stay in Holland, at a dinner party they were in-
troduced to some gentlemen who belonged to the Holland Land
Company, who, in conversation on their affairs in America, pro-
posed that these young men should try their fortunes in the new
country, as many other noblemen had done before them. Col.
De Ferriere and his companion were impressed with the idea
and decided to go thither. They immediately made the neces-
sary arrangements, deposited funds with bankers in Holland,
and took letters of credit on the Holland Company's bankers in
America, Messrs. Leroy Bayard & Co. Nor far from the time
when their King, Louis the XVI., was beheaded, in the year
T793, they embarked at Amsterdam in a vessel bound for New
York.

When about to embark, it was observed that cruisers, search-
ing for the proscribed loyalists of France, lined the coast. They
had been but a few hours at sea, and just at night, when one of
these cruisers drew near, clearly with the intention of boarding
the vessel. The captain desired to secrete the loyalists, but De
Ferriere's companion declared he could pass for an Italian, and
thus escape. De Ferriere was prevailed upon to be secreted,
and the ship's crew soon made a recess in among the fire-wood
of the cook-room in which he and his effects were safely placed.

The cruiser hove alongside, the officers boarded the ship, and
having displayed their papers of authority, commenced search.
They soon met the pretended Italian, but his speech betrayed
his high birth and French origin, and he was hurried from the
vessel into confinement. Diligent but fruitless search was made

APPENDIX. 769

for De Ferriere, and great was his relief mingled with heartfelt
sorrow, as the cruiser receded from view, for, althougii he was
safe, his friend was being borne to a dreadful doom.

Soon after night had settled down upon the sea, another ves-
sel, whose flag they could not discern in the darkness, drew near
and hailed them. There was instant and anxious fear, lest the
cruiser had returned, perhaps having learned b}' ply'^S their
frightened captive with questions that another fugitive was in
the ship. Taking this view. Col. De Ferriere refused to be again
secreted, and desired to be left to himself, assuring them that he
would not be taken alive. Immediately, on the exchange of the
usual marine salutations, the Captain sprang to De Ferriere's
side, clasped his hand with joy, and exclaimed, "You are safe ;
that vessel is a Yankee !" This was the end of his danger, and
the incubus of suspense, anxiety and fear, which the " reign of
terror" produced wherever the loyalists were on the Continent,
gradually lifted from his mind, as he left the shores of his native
country behind.

Arriving at New York he met Col. John Lincklaen with whom
lie came to Cazenovia, Madison County. While at Cazenovia
himself and Mr. Lincklaen occasionally went to Canaseraga to
talk I'rench with Mr. Dennie, the only man in this region of tiie
country with whom they could converse in that language. It was at
these visits that Angel De Ferriere, then a young man of twenty-
two, formed the acquaintance of Polly Dennie, Lewis Dennie's
only daughter, a respectable young woman, with pleasant man-
ners and civilized habits, said by some to have been very beau-
tiful, and resembling the race to which her mother belonged but
very little. In due time they were married, and settled near
Cazenovia. Subsequently he was prevailed upon by his wife's
friends, to settle at Wampsville, Madison County, where her
brother, Jonathan Dennie, presented his wife a fine farm. Mr.
De Ferriere added to this until he was owner of about 3,000
acres of valuable land.

In 1817, he went to France to present his claims and receive
his heritage from the once princely estates of his family. His
inheritance enabled him to promptly complete all payments on
his Lenox land, and indulge a cultivated taste in adorning his
American home. Here he reared a family of five children, send-
ing them from home to be educated. Here he died in 1832. At
the family homestead, in Wampsville, Madison County, is the
De Ferriere monument which bears the inscription : —

Angel De Ferriere was born January 8th, 1769, at Niort
Department Des Deux Sevres in France. Died September
17th, 1832, aged ()2) years.

Also :—

In memory ok Polly De Ferriere, Consort of Angel De

W2

770 APPENDIX.

Ferriere ; Born March, 1774 ; Died March, 1853, aged 79
years.

Note 71. — The.Bruces are said to be of Scotch and Dutch Hne-
age. The name in Scottish history is synonymous with great-
ness. The following extract from a sketch published when B.
F. Bruce (son of Joseph Bruce,) was Member of Legislature,
suggests that the spirit of their Scottish ancestors may have de-
scended through all the centuries from the illustrious Robert
Bruce, to the present generation. "Mr. Bruce has perhaps more
of an air distingue than any other member of the Lower House.
His tall, finely developed figure, his proud, erect bearing and his
well-shaped head, combine to attract the attention of the specta-
tor, in glancing over the gentlemen who compose the Assembly.
Mr. Bruce has a deep sonorous voice which has been highly cul-
tivated, and as an orator he fully commands the attention of the
listener. Some of his most brilliant speeches were extemporane-
ously delivered ; in fact he seldom puts his ideas on paper, pre-
ferring to trust himself to the impulse of the occasion." — [See
Civil List, Chapter 2.]

JVote o. — The raising of the first church building, at the
Opening, was made an " occasion," it being something new to
erect a church edifice, and the frame, also was of heavy timbers.
Madison could furnish from within her own borders a more than
sufficient number of stalwart men to rear the ponderous "bents" ;
but men of superior physical strength were held in high esteem
in those days of stern realities ; the society was doing a big
thing, and it was a time to be complimentary ; therefore a special
invitation to attend the raising was sent to five men, living just
over the line in Augusta, who were thus endowed by nature.
These were Daniel and Benjamin Warren, Archibald and Par-
don Manchester, and Noah Leonard. They of course accepted
the honor and attended ; and it was a compliment that each was
proud to remember and to refer to long years after. Dea. Ben-
jamin Warren, one of the five, stood six feet in height, weighed
upwards of 200 pounds, and was possessed of enormous phys-
ical powers. Pardon Manchester was an inch taller, nearly of
the same weight, and notwithstanding his giant proportions was
possessed of an elasticity and quickness of motion almost su-
perhuman. This man was for a time a resident of Madison.
During that residence he happened one day to be at a tavern
on Augusta east hill, and got involved in a quarrel — a too com-
mon occurrence with him — in which he was assailed by six men,
who all made for him at once. As they came on, Manchester
gave the foremost man a terrible kick in the abdomen ; then, as
fast as he could deliver as many blows, he knocked down three
more. But the remaining two gave him a hard fight ; his flying

APPENDIX. 77 r

fists failed every time to hit the mark, and he could only hurl
them from him through his superior rapidity of action. At
length, the floored ones beginning to rally, he decided to retreat,
but on the attempt found both doors and windows fastened !
Quick as lightning he seized first one and then the other antag-
onist and threw them across the room ; then, turning to a win-
dow, he jumped several feet from the floor, planted both feet in
the center of the lower sash, and in a shower of flying glass and
splinters landed out door in an upright position and made good
his escape !

Note p. — Eri Richardson, one of the Richardson brothers,
was a member of the Legislature in 1822, and represented his
constituents worthily and satisfactorily. While at Albany, he
g-!\-e his whole attention, first to the understanding, and then to
the performance of his duties. But, unlike many other legisla-
tors, he cared little for mere etiquette. An anecdote, illus-
trating his singular indifterence to the commonest observances
of cultivated life, as well as the peculiar temperament of the
man, is told of him : The Major, as he was called (he was so
commissioned in 181 2,) had an inveterate habit of spitting.
Early in his term as Assemblyman he was sitting in his room
at Albany, preparing, with pen in hand and busy brain, the
speech he was to deliver before the august body of his peers,
and as usual, when all absorbed in a subject, was spitting in
every direction upon the carpet. A servant came in to perform
some office, and observing this, shoved the spittoon in front of
him ; the Major was oblivious, and out went another mouthful
to the left ; the servant moved the polished receptacle of filth to
the left ; the Major's eyes were still bent upon his paper, his
thoughts were deep in the intricacies of his theme, and his
mouth was working nervously ; it soon filled, and away went
another copious ejectment, this time to the right ; the servant
pushed the convenience to the right ; the Major's saliviary
glands rapidly secreted again, and while his lips were apparently
gathering for one grand discharge in front, the servant, hoping
to anticipate it, gave the appurtenance a desperate shove with
the broom in that direction. " Now, see here !" said the Major,
just brought to consciousness, " do you take that d — d thing
right out of the way, or I'll spit in it !" This story leaked out,
got home, and made much amusement at the Major's expense.
It has been repeatedly told in and out of print, with variations,
but it rightfully belongs where we place it.

Note q. — The Warren family, noticed in the Stockbridge
chapter, is one of the oldest, capable of being traced in this
country. Its progenitor, or original ancestor upon New England
soil, was Sir Richard Warren, an English Baronet ; a puritan (if

772

APPENDIX.

old colonial history' is correct,) of the most rigid and bigoted
kind. Jte came to Plymouth, Mass., with the puritan colonists
in the next vessel after the Mayflower (probably about 1632).
With him came his only son. Sir James Warren, who was at the
time married and had one or more sons then in their childhood.
At his death also expired the family title inherited in England,
titles being even at that early day obsolete and valueless in the
already republican colony, except perhaps a few Crown officers
in the new settlements. From these descended the Warrens of
New England, and from them the Warrens of New York and
other Northern States, till they have become (to use an inflated
comparison) as "numerous as the sands of the sea." The grand-
father of Gen. Joseph Warren of Bunker Hill memory, and the
grandfather of John Warren, of Stockbridge, were brothers ;
sons of a grandson in some degree (not ascertained) of James.
Benjamin, the father of John Warren, was a native of Raynham,
Plymouth County, Mass., but removed to Royalston, Worcester
County, about 1769. He was a soldier in the old French war,
so-called, and subsequently a soldier of the revolution. In the
latter, he served from the first general call of the patriots to arms
until October, 1777, when he fell in the battle of Stillwater
Plains, the day before the taking of Gen. Burgoyne, and died
instantly, a musket ball entering his forehead and passing
through the center of the brain. A brother and a nephew were
'n a rear rank ; they saw him fall, paused over his dead body as
they advanced, and saw that he was dead ; there was no time
for even a pulsation of grief over kindred remains; the battle
was raging; the same moment they were pressed on with the
hurrying troops of the command who were advancing to a charge.
The remains of the father of John Warren were not again iden-
tified ; the fallen of that day's contest were at night hastily gath-
ered and received a common sepulture, unknelled and uncoffined,
but not unmourned.

CONCLUSION. 773

CONCLUSION.

Our task is done, yet we have a few concluding words to
offer for the consideration of those readers who may discover
that certain persons, events, &c., well known to themselves,
have been omitted, while other matter corresponding, of
only equal and perhaps often of less importance, appears
upon the record. We desire to remind them that this was
unavoidable. At an early stage in our labors of collecting
the material for the foregoing work, we learned by brief ex-
perience that a local history, necessarily made up chiefly
from oral data, could not be written in full ; there is literall}^
no end to such data, and there must be a limit to the matter
composing a book. From the long array of names of early
settlers and prominent men, and the vast quantity of inci-
dents, events, &c., gleaned in our travels for that purpose
over the County, we have selected that which in our judg-
ment was the most valuable for preservation and the most
illustrative of the pioneer days ; which should avoid tedious
repetition of similar experiences as much as possible, while
covering the whole ground and retaining as much matter of
local interest as a convenient and not too expensive volume
could embody. After selecting from the mass which our
nine years' toil had gathered, we were unable to compress
that selection within the limits of the six hundred pages
announced in connection with the price in the prospectus of
the work ; but rather than abridge in that which seemed to
belong to our readers — since it was already obtained^ — we

774 CONCLUSION.

have swelled the volume by an addition of one hundred and
seventy-four pages, in order to give such selection complete.
Also, we are aware that notwithstanding our earnest efforts,
we may have failed to obtain the names of many persons
equally as worthy of honorable mention as those who are
thus noticed in the foregoing pages. And further : that
without doubt many incidents quite as interesting as any-
thing given, are lost to the work, from having been either
passed by unknowingly when in search of them, or not oc-
curring at the time to the memory of our informants. We
can only deeplv regret any serious omission from whatever
cause. L. M. H.

ERRATA.

Page 322, on loth line from top, instead of " successful,"
read "unsuccessful." Page 300, 5th line from bottom, for
"town," read "house." Page 510, 14th line from top, to place
of "»rhe latter," read "Daniel Grouse." Page 569, 9th line
from bottom, for " Bullard," read " Ballard." Page 570, 12th
line from top, for " and," read "once." Page 66^, 26th line,
omit "t," also corresponding note at bottom oi the page.
Page 729, 4th line, for " east " read " west." Also on same
page, 13th line, lor " west " read " east." In appendix, page
761, in note (g,) read " William," instead of " P21ijah."

Appendix. — Note "a" refers to page 158; " b," 173;
" c," 228 ; " d," 241 ; " e," 286 ; "f," 299 ; " g," 303 ; " h,"
331; "i;'334; "j."338; "k," 373; " 1," 454 : " ni," 489 ;
" n," 520 ; " o," 615 ; " p," 646 ; " q," 744.

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